SIMON Corbell says civilian and defence engineering students at ADFA in their second and third years will have the opportunity for work experience placements with the successful Capital Metro consortium.

“The announcement of the work experience opportunities follows the landmark agreement earlier this week that civilian engineering students will be able to study in the UNSW program at ADFA,” Simon said.

“These placements will be offered over the period of construction.

“This is a great opportunity for students undertaking their engineering studies in the ACT to gain invaluable, on-the-job experience with world class, national and international companies.

“The ACT Government is committed to growing and strengthening our knowledge economy and that’s why we are providing these exciting opportunities for people to study and work in the ACT. If our talented up and coming engineering professionals can easily study and work in the city they call home, the opportunities for the growth of our city are endless.

“The memorandum of understanding between the ACT Government and University of New South Wales is a brilliant initiative to increase local study options for engineering students while providing work placements on Canberra’s light rail project.”

Mr Corbell said the work experience placement program would provide far reaching benefits for both the students and the Capital Metro project.

“The first stage of light rail will support 3,500 jobs in the construction phase alone and will be a catalyst for delivering positive, long-term workforce benefits for the Canberra community.”