Abigroup opens $4m Melbourne training centre

The premier of Victoria John Brumby, applauded Abigroup's commitment to industry training as he officially opened the contractor's $4m Learning and Operations Facility in Truganina, Melbourne, in mid October.

“What Abigroup is doing is a great example of leadership for the construction industry,” the Premier said. Not only does the facility align with the Victorian government's focus on increasing skill-based training, it also puts Abigroup in an enviable position and prepares it for the Australian government's move to bring forward the Infrastructure Australia priority list, which is part of the Rudd government's plan to stimulate the economy.

Abigroup, a registered training organisation, says the Truganina facility is unique in that it offers employees the ability to undertake formal training in areas from civil construction to mining, and combine it with practical experience in the one place.

The premier said the Abigroup initiative was also a direct way of combating the crippling skills shortage that is seriously affecting the Australian construction industry.

Abigroup's southern region general manager Rod Watson, warned that the whole industry would grind to a halt, “if we don't do something to address the skills shortage.”

The facility aims to train upwards of 1000 people in its first year of operation. Currently 35 to 45 employees are undertaking training each week, with plans to expand the Registered Training Organisation courses around Australia.

The $4m facility was built and will be managed by Abigroup Contractors. The location of the facility is deliberate, maximising the growth of Melbourne's western industrial corridor and is in close proximity to existing Abigroup projects.

It is also well placed to take advantage of the outcomes of the anticipated report by Sir Rod Eddington, that looks at Melbourne's western suburbs, as a way to ease congestion in the city. The state office of the Abigroup Telecommunications division will also be located in the facility, as will the plant yard.

By offering training, Abigroup is producing more skilled employees to respond to industry needs and deliver Australia's infrastructure.