A re-elected majority Liberal Government will partner with industry to build Tasmania's first purpose-built Civil Construction Live Works Training Site at Quercus Park, ‘Earthworks Training – Dig, Drive, Go’.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said that Earthworks Training – Dig, Drive, Go would help to grow the workforce that a re-elected Majority Liberal Government needs to deliver on its 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.

“The new $4.3 million Earthworks Training – Dig, Drive, Go site will help to deliver the hundreds of workers that we need to build Tasmania’s future infrastructure – roads, bridges, dams, wharves and commercial and residential land development,” Premier Rockliff said.

“The site will provide young Tasmanians and those looking to join the civil construction sector with practical, hands-on training in the operation of plant and heavy machinery.

“It will provide for faster, safer and more efficient training for plant and machinery operators and a wide range of other jobs, from truck drivers and road-traffic controllers to those working in safety roles, pipe laying, and other industry-specific training needs.

“It is estimated that Earthworks Training – Dig, Drive, Go will deliver up to 3,000 training qualifications a year in the civil construction industry alone, and many more across building and construction, forestry, agriculture, energy, mining and transport.”

Minister for Skills, Training and Workforce Growth, Felix Ellis, said that Earthworks Training – Dig, Drive, Go would be a partnership between Civil Contractors Federation Tasmania and Rural Youth Tasmania, delivering real-life training in a safe, controlled environment and an authentic industry setting.

“We know that to fulfill our $27 billion game-changing infrastructure pipeline, we need to train and employ more than 650 additional plant and machinery operators, and other critical sector occupations each year,” Minister Ellis said.

“Earthworks Training – Dig, Drive, Go will significantly enhance the civil construction sector's ability to attract younger workers, especially more female workers, and will strengthen the school-based pathways into the sector.

“Earthworks Training – Dig, Drive, Go will also support career awareness activities, including VET in schools, job-ready courses, career ‘come and try’ days, and will collaborate with industry sectors on their ongoing needs.”

The Plan includes $1.8 million to establish the site's infrastructure, including demountable site buildings for classrooms, toilets, a work site, a lunchroom, a trainer's office and first aid, and an equipment shed.

It also includes $2.5 million for equipment including excavators, roller, grader, skid-steer, 10-yard truck, telehandler, front-end loader, backhoe and safety equipment.

The Liberals will invest $4.3 million to establish the site's infrastructure and training equipment, with the facility expected to be open to all current and future Registered Training Organisations, including TasTAFE by 2025.