West Aussies set to benefit from nbn scholarship scheme

Today, the West Australian Government launched a new scholarship in partnership with nbn. The scholarship is aimed at driving employment opportunities for telecommunications trainees of minority and underrepresented groups across Western Australia.

The scholarship, consisting of $1,000 each in funding to assist with study costs, will be awarded to 100 individuals of primarily female, indigenous, and long term unemployed workers, seeking training for telecommunications occupations.

Deputy Premier and Training and Workforce Development Minister Liza Harvey, officially launched the initiative alongside nbn’s Chief Network Operations Officer, JB Rousselot. Also in attendance were members of nbn’s Delivery Partner community and indigenous trainees.

Mr Rousselot said:

“With the support of the West Australian Government, we are able to provide a fantastic opportunity to support trainees and develop a capable and sustainable workforce.

“Thousands of jobs have already been created across Australia in association with the rollout of the nbn™ network and this program demonstrates our ongoing efforts to expand the telecommunications workforce and generate interest in a growing industry.”

“At nbn, we are committed to supporting 100 WA telecommunications trainees over the next 2-3 years. Ultimately, these students will become the next generation of telecommunications experts who will operate, maintain and upgrade the nbn™ network over the next 20 years and beyond.”

The scholarships are open to students who are employed with an nbn Delivery Partner and enrolled in Certificate II and III in Telecommunications, and Certificate II and III in Telecommunications Network Build and Operate.

The roll out of the nbn™ network in WA is expected to create an additional 500 jobs within the next 2-3 years to help install, operate and maintain the network. For those looking at taking advantage of the nbn rollout across WA, or seeking their next career choice, go direct to an nbn delivery partner or subcontractor or register an Expression of Interest through nbn career start.

nbn’s network footprint reaches 3.4 million premises now able to order an nbn service with more than 340,000 of those premises in Western Australia. More than 137,000 premises in WA are active on the nbn™ network. More information on the nbn™ and rollout areas is available at: http://www.nbnco.com.au/learn-about-the-nbn/rollout-map.html.

Media enquiries

Notes to editor:

• The first step is to get employed with an nbn delivery partner or subcontractor. To do so, you can go directly to an nbn delivery partner or subcontractor or register an Expression of Interest through nbn career start portal where they will be referred to an nbn Delivery Partner recruiting in the location nominated. Once employed and enrolled in a qualifying traineeship, employers will nominate individuals for a scholarship.
• Scholarships created to support trainees for nbn rollout and ongoing operations
• Scholarships will target minority and underrepresent groups, primarily female, indigenous, youth-in-regions and  long term unemployed 
• nbn has committed supporting 100 WA telecommunications trainees over the next 2-3 years

*We’re designing the nbn™ network to provide these speeds to our wholesale customers, telephone and internet service providers. End user experience, including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn™ network, depends on the technology over which services are delivered to your premises and some factors outside our control like equipment quality, software, signal reception, broadband plans and how the end user’s service provider designs its network.

Download: