Nyaal Banyul Works Provide Geelong Training And Jobs

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA – The Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre (GCEC) is full steam ahead, with early works to put the superstructure in place underway.

Victorian Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney today joined Plenary Group Managing Director Damien Augustinus, Federal Member for Corangamite Libby Coker and City of Greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan at the GCEC site, where 12 local trainees and apprentices are working on the job thanks to support from the Albanese and Allan Labor governments and the City of Greater Geelong through the Geelong City Deal.

These 12 local workers will be joined by 16 more as the project progresses through the GCEC Early Engagement Social Procurement (GEESP) program.

By the time GCEC is complete, the 28 trainees and apprentices – who have experienced barriers to employment – will have received 12 weeks of fully funded training counting towards a Certificate II in Construction Pathways through Gordon TAFE.

The GEESP partnership has been co-designed by Development Victoria, the Give Where You Live Foundation’s GROW initiative, social enterprise gforce and will be delivered by builder Built as the head contractor.

Mr Augustinus said it’s pleasing to see the progress being made towards the delivery of such a transformative project.

“We continue to work with our government and consortium partners, including Built, to ensure the project delivers strong local employment opportunities, social outcomes and lasting economic benefits to the Geelong region.

“It’s a great example of the outcomes that can be achieved when governments bring together private and public sector investment to deliver world-class facilities and meaningful social benefits for local communities.”

The program will support local businesses, individuals and the wider community by giving these trainees and apprentices real-world training and experience working with a team of 1,450 people on one of the most anticipated projects to be delivered in regional Victoria.

“The social procurement results delivered through Nyaal Banyul will contribute to GROW’s goal of a future where everyone who wants to work has the opportunity and support to work, with a particular focus on addressing long-term unemployment and supporting suburbs in our region with higher levels of disadvantage,” Give Where You Live Foundation CEO Bill Mithen said.

Through the GEESP program, Nyaal Banyul is establishing a gold standard for social procurement in government-led projects.

“The Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre will support more than a thousand jobs during construction and hundreds more once complete, generating millions for the regional economy. The opportunity to receive training and work experience on a project like this is truly unique, and we’re proud to be backing 28 local apprentices and trainees as they experience this valuable real-world training,” MP Tierney said.

The Victorian Government is contributing $423 million towards Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre precinct, with the Australian Government contributing $30 million and the City of Greater Geelong $3 million.

The precinct partnership also includes an initial $120 million investment from Plenary Conventions to secure what will be Geelong’s largest hotel, with a further $130 million earmarked to create a mixed-use development inside the precinct down the track.