The Bunbury Outer Ring Road’s Yaka Dandjoo program was designed to provide unemployed, entry level, and work-ready people the skills required to sustain employment in the construction industry. Beyond gaining work skills, the program supports its graduates on an individual basis to ensure they are ready for long-term employment prospects that will continue to change their lives, and the lives of their families, for generations to come.

In total, there were 191 graduates across 13 cohorts, and nearly two thirds found employment on BORR or entered the construction industry on another project.

The program was a collaborative effort, supported by group training organisations The Apprenticeship and Traineeship Company and Skill Hire, who provided guidance, structured training, and resources. BORR’s safety team and the project’s trainer and assessor ensured the apprentices not only achieved national qualifications for machinery operation but also gained practical experience to excel safely on the South West’s largest infrastructure construction project. Throughout the training period, site supervisors played a crucial role by offering on-the-ground training and mentorship.

The project is proud to have supported the 16 newly qualified professionals who are now equipped with essential skills and knowledge so that they can contribute to future construction projects.  The Certificate III in Civil Construction (Mobile Operations) gives graduates the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to operate a range of heavy equipment including carts, rollers, articulated haul trucks, integrated tool carriers and front-end loaders.

This is a significant achievement for cohorts of long-term unemployed, never employed and/or disadvantaged trainees.