Tunnelling Centre To Train Thousands Of Local Workers
17 September 2018
Victorian Government:
An Australian-first
tunnelling training
centre in
Melbourne will train thousands of local workers to deliver the
Andrews Labor Government’s record pipeline of transport projects –
including the massive
Suburban
Rail Loop.
The new $16 million Victorian Tunnelling Centre will be built at
Holmesglen Institute’s Chadstone campus to train and
skill local workers
in underground construction and tunnelling.
It will include a replica tunnel with a full-height entrance, three
multi-purpose engineering workrooms and
training facilities including
tunnel shaft and concrete lining spray simulators, as well as virtual
reality experiences.
Separately,
Herrenknecht – one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of
tunnel boring machines – has announced it will establish a Melbourne
office and maintenance facility and begin investigations to recycle
these massive pieces of machinery locally, for deployment on new
projects in
Victoria’s infrastructure pipeline.
The Labor Government is delivering a pipeline of major tunnelling
projects stretching over more than a decade, and this new tunnelling
workforce will create local jobs and make Victoria a world-leading
tunnelling hub.
Just four years ago, no tunnels were being built in Melbourne. Now,
because of our investments, tunnelling on the Metro Tunnel and West Gate
Tunnel projects will soon get underway, and by the time they’re finished
work will have started on North East Link, Melbourne Airport Rail Link
and the Suburban Rail Loop.
More than 15 gigantic tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will be used to
build these vital projects that will deliver more trains to and from the
suburbs, connect the regions and ease congestion on the state’s busy
roads. Ten of these machines are expected be needed to build the
Suburban Rail Loop alone.
To meet demand for this tunnelling bonanza, thousands of local workers
will need to be trained in TBM operation and underground construction.
The centre, which is modelled on the successful Tunnelling and
Underground Construction Academy established as part of London’s
Crossrail, will open next year.
Holmesglen Institute will offer both existing and new courses at the
tunnelling centre, including Certificate and Diploma qualifications as
well as safety-based training for working underground. By 2021, it is
estimated up to 5,000 students will participate in training courses at
the centre each year.
This will support the thousands of apprentices, trainees and cadets who
will deliver Victoria’s pipeline of infrastructure projects, completing
at least 10 per cent of work hours under the Major Projects Skills
Guarantee.
Herrenknecht, Germany’s market-leading TBM manufacturer, is currently
custom building the six massive TBMs needed to build the West Gate
Tunnel and Metro Tunnel projects.
To support construction and operation of these huge machines,
Herrenknecht will open a local office in Melbourne. A key part of their
work will be on how the TBMs can be reused and recycled and put to work
on Victoria’s other major tunnelling projects into the future.
Quote attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“This is the biggest-ever pipeline of transport projects in Victoria’s
history. We’re not only creating thousands of jobs as we deliver these
vital projects – we’re making sure local workers have the skills they
need to build them.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta
Allan
“The Victorian Tunnelling Centre will train and upskill thousands of
local workers, so they can play their part in building the rail and road
projects people need.”
--ENDS--
Source: Victorian Government - www.premier.vic.gov.au
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