South West Region's biggest transport infrastructure project is creating employment opportunities and supporting greater economic investment in the region.
The Bunbury Outer Ring Road (BORR) will provide a 27-kilometre, four-lane, high standard road, improving local and regional traffic accessing Bunbury Port and existing and proposed industrial areas east of Bunbury. The project will reduce a significant number of trucks from local roads, improving safety for nearby residents, easing congestion and creating more reliable journey times for all road users.
As well as the huge benefits BORR is creating for the economy and the region, the project has also created the Yaka Dandjoo Sustainable Employment Program. Yaka Dandjoo means 'working together' in the Noongar language. This six-stage program is designed to give unemployed, entry level, work ready people the skills and mindset required to sustain employment on BORR or within the South West Region.
While the program has a specific focus on ensuring opportunities for unemployed Aboriginal people, it also seeks to support those most impacted by the pandemic including women, young people and mature aged workers. The Program is unique in that it provides an approach that integrates life skills education with TAFE-based training, workplace exposure, ongoing traineeships and onsite mentoring.
Yaka Dandjoo seeks to create a pipeline of skilled people to support infrastructure delivery, boost sustainable employment opportunities and facilitate traineeships for graduates seeking employment on BORR.
Since it commenced there has been four cohorts resulting in 65 people who have graduated. All together 22 graduates have found employment directly on the BORR project either with the South West Gateway Alliance or its subcontractors with a further 30 having found employment elsewhere. In summary we have seen the following demographic who have achieved graduation:
- 18 young people aged 18-24
- 38 females
- 40 Aboriginal people
- 17 people aged 45+
- 5 trainees.
Resourcing, agility, and flexible thinking has been integral to the success of the program with flexible job share options facilitated since many female participants were also principal carers.
To get the information about Yaka Danjoo, to find out more about employment opportunities on the job or to get updates on the progress of the BORR project visit our website.