Jobs boom at Arkana project

By Melissa Meehan
DANDENONG’S revitalisation will not only bring the largest urban renewal project since the Docklands – it will also bring hundreds of local jobs.
Project planner VicUrban has joined forces with local Group Training provider MEGT to help create career opportunities for the local community through the Revitalising Central Dandenong initiative.
The initiative includes redevelopment and upgrades to the city centre that will allow new building developments to commence in 2009 and beyond.
Already underway is Deal Corporation’s development of the Arkana site and coming up in the new year will be the construction of a five star green star Government Services Offices building.
More developments will soon follow and VicUrban will work with MEGT to help ensure local job seekers have opportunities to start their career in a range of exciting industries as an apprentice or trainee.
VicUrban’s General Manager for Urban Revitalisation, Dominic Arcaro said the program is critical to the longer term revitalisation of Dandenong’s well-being.
“A success factor of the revitalisation will be how we can connect the local community to many facets of the project and in particular, employment and training,” Mr Arcaro said.
“It’s also an exciting opportunity to be part of central Dandenong history.”
National Manager for MEGT Group Training Natalie Reynolds said there would be opportunities for all sorts of fields from horticulture to business traineeships, and building and construction to landscaping.
“Locals wanting to get a head start in their career can start their traineeship or apprenticeship while they are still at secondary school,” Ms Reynolds said.
“Don’t think of Australian apprenticeships as just being for young men. There are loads of traineeships and apprenticeships available for women and mature aged people too.”
For Australian Apprenticeships vacancies for all other job seekers just follow the links from www.revitalisingcentraldandenong.com/megt or call 9791 4577.