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NBN, the organisation deploying the national broadband network, is on the hunt for around 2,000 workers, including those with minimal or no telecommunications experience, to help with the rollout.
The company on Monday launched its Career Start campaign, the first of several forthcoming campaigns to gain the necessary number of workers to build the NBN.
Earlier this month, NBN unveiled an ambitious three-year construction plan to connect the national broadband network to 9.5 million premises by 2018.
NBN said that across the active workforce of Australia, the number of people who have the competency to be a telecommunications copper cable jointer or linesworker is well below what is needed to not only build the NBN but provide telecommunications services in the future.
NBN boss, Bill Morrow, said this latest campaigns will kick start telco careers and future-proof Australia’s telecommunications workforce.
“At present, a large proportion of Australia’s telecommunication industry workforce are due to retire in around five years’ time,” he said.
“Without the Career Start campaign, we believe that we would be potentially staring down the barrel of a telecommunications skills shortage in Australia.”
NBN said interested candidates need to have the ability to acquire a high level of technical skill and be able to meet the physical requirements of the roles. Recent school leavers have been encouraged to register their interest.
“While future campaigns are planned to attract experience telco workers or mid-career industry changes for the cross-skilling training program, individuals at all points in their careers are welcome to register their interest,” NBN said.
The Career Start campaign is part of NBN’s $40 billion Industry Workforce Development Program to employ around 4,500 skilled workers to construct, operate and maintain the national broadband network.
Morrow said NBN was engaging with state and territory education, skills and workforce development departments about establishing collaborative partnerships and enlisting support for doubling the workforce.
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