Training, work experience and employment opportunities will be up for grabs as part of a new training and employment initiative for Ginninderry that is also a first for the ACT.

Emma Sckrabei, the newest member of Ginninderry’s project team, is heading up the initiative as training and employment manager and says the aim is to generate a range of economic opportunities for local people.

“We’ll be collaborating with funding agencies, registered training organisations, the community sector, industry bodies and other stakeholders to help develop the skills of the local community so they are ready to access a range of opportunities over the life of the project,” she says.

To begin, Emma and the team plan to tap into already established business and contractors in the local area to help identify work experience and employment opportunities, and match these with job seekers. They’ll also be helping to develop job seeker skills through pre-employment training initiatives targeting a range of sectors such as childcare and retail, hospitality, home and community care and construction.

“We’ll also be establishing ‘live’ training sites across the project within the building and construction sector so individuals from the local community can develop their skills by using the project as an outdoor classroom,” she says.

The initiative complements activities already being undertaken to build the new West Belconnen community, including a broad program of stakeholder consultation, planning around a wide range of business and community services, facilities and infrastructure, and extensive social and environmental sustainability initiatives.

“It’s all about collaborating and working locally to connect more people into training and work, build greater capacity for those already in work, and identify volunteering opportunities for those who no longer wish to work, but want to continue making a meaningful contribution to the community.”