{"id":168937,"date":"2025-01-22T08:15:40","date_gmt":"2025-01-21T22:15:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railexpress.com.au\/?p=118372"},"modified":"2025-01-22T08:15:40","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T22:15:40","slug":"inland-rail-employs-large-workforce-including-56-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=168937","title":{"rendered":"Inland Rail employs large workforce including 56 women"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Image\/Inland Rail<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Newly released figures from Inland Rail show that more than 550 people have worked on the Stockinbingal to Parkes section of the project<\/a>.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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With the aim of finishing the Beveridge to Parkes section by the end of 2027, Inland Rail\u2019s ongoing construction of the Stockinbingal to Parkes section is creating jobs and driving economic growth in regional NSW communities.<\/p>\n

Statistics dating to October 2024 show a total of 560 people have been working on the Stockinbingal to Parkes section, including 56 women.<\/p>\n

This figure looks set to rise thanks to the\u00a0Rail Readiness Course<\/a>\u00a0for young women, a partnership between Inland Rail and the Stars Foundation.<\/p>\n

Delivered through First Nations training provider Yakka Training, the Rail Readiness course highlights the requirements for a career in rail and construction, offering young women a route towards employment in the industry.<\/p>\n

Stephen Jones, Inland Rail Executive Director Program Health, Safety, Environment & Sustainability, said as Inland Rail progresses towards the goal of completing construction south of Narromine by 2027, there will be more and more opportunities for workers and businesses.<\/p>\n

\u201cInland Rail is committed to creating employment opportunities through the Inland Rail Skills Academy as well as for those who already possess the skills needed on the Stockinbingal to Parkes section, with a strong focus on local employment,” he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis once-in-a-generation project not only brings benefits Australia-wide, it is also providing ongoing opportunities and benefits at a local level.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stars Foundation<\/a>, whose goal is to provide mentorship and support for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women, stage the one-day courses at NSW schools, mirroring the activities undertaken by the\u00a0Clontarf Foundation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Statistics dating to October 2024 show a total of 560 people have been working on the Stockinbingal to Parkes section, with 163 of those being local residents. Local businesses on the section have enjoyed a cash injection of more than $9.5 million, spent across 102 local businesses between July 2023 and October 2024.<\/p>\n

First Nations business across Australia are contributing to the Stockinbingal to Parkes section, supplying more than $183,000 worth of services.\u00a0Of the 163 local workers, 28 are First Nations people, making up more than half of the 48 First Nations people who have worked on the Stockinbingal to Parkes section.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Stockinbingal to Parkes section of Inland Rail<\/a>\u00a0includes sites at:<\/p>\n