nbn has launched a new marketing campaign to attract workers to the nbn network.
Career Start is the first of several campaigns aimed at attracting workers, and it coincides with the announcement of a three year construction plan.
The increased rollout requires technically skilled workers with industry recognised qualifications and the the number of people who have the competency to be Telecommunications Copper Cable Jointers or Linesworkers is below what is needed.
To help close the gap, nbn is working with Delivery Partners on employment and training programs that lead to industry recognised qualifications. The first campaign will promote an up-skill training program and target Australians starting their careers who have a real interest in how technology is built.
nbn CEO, Bill Morrow, said the Career Start campaign will not only start many telco careers, but it will be a key feature in future-proofing the Australian telecommunications workforce.
“The nbn is Australia’s largest infrastructure project and it is absolutely vital that we have enough people to construct the network as we increase the pace of the rollout,” he said.
“At present a large proportion of the Australian telecommunication industry workforce are due to retire in around five years’ time. Without the Career Start campaign, we believe that we would be potentially staring down the barrel of a telecommunications skills shortage in Australia.
“The Career Start campaign will not only help find young people interested in developing the highly technical skills needed, but it will provide a path for them to undergo training and start a challenging and fulfilling telecommunications industry career.
“It will also provide a platform for young people already working in the industry to access further learning and development.”
The Career Start campaign is part of nbn’s $40 million Industry Workforce Development Program, aimed at stimulating the employment of around an additional 4,500 skilled workers to construct, operate and maintain the nbn network as well as setting up and maintaining a national skills register.
Mr Morrow said nbn was currently actively engaging with State and Territory Education, Skills and Workforce Development Departments about establishing collaborative partnerships and enlisting their support for the doubling of the workforce.
The Career Start campaign aims to attract expressions of interest from around 2000 candidates with minimal or no previous telco experience such as recent school leavers. Interested candidates need to have the ability to acquire a high level of technical skill and be able to meet the physical requirements of the roles.
While future campaigns are planned to attract experienced telco workers or mid-career industry changers for the cross-skilling training program, individuals at all points in their careers are welcome to register their interest.
Successful candidates will be employed by a Delivery Partner or subcontractor, have access training paths that may lead to industry recognised Cert II or III Telecommunication qualifications, and be eligible to apply for federal, state and nbn subsidies.
Once the nbn network is completed, long-term opportunities will exist as the network moves into operation and maintenance. nbn anticipates that Career Start participants would have an advantage in securing future Telco positions with their qualifications and practical on the job experience.
