NBN workers are optimistic new training facilities will go some way to addressing the Federal Government’s shambolic NBN scheme, but say the details of the training need to be thoroughly reviewed.
Branch Secretary and National President, Shane Murphy, said the announcement today that NBN Co will open a number of simulated training facilities to help train 2000 external workers in its fixed-line technologies appears, on the surface, to be a step in the right direction.
“For far too long we’ve been complaining about the sham contracting and the inadequate training of NBN workers,” Mr Murphy said. “Anything that goes some way to addressing those problems would be welcomed with open arms.”
“Of course, we’ll always welcome any training that improves workers’ capacity, but until we see the details of the training, we’ll remain cautiously optimistic.
“The Federal Government doesn’t exactly have a good track record when it comes to the NBN. Everything about the system has been a debacle, not least the treatment of workers.
“The Federal Government ballsed up the NBN from the very get go. The NBN had the potential to be a world-class network and provide jobs and training opportunities for workers to develop new skills. That’s been far from the case to date, but hopefully today’s announcement is a sign things are looking up.
“Malcolm Turnbull’s NBN is a shambolic mess, not just for consumers struggling for a connection, but also for the workers forced to deal with the disaster. Getting workers the adequate training they need would be a big step in the right direction.”
Media contact: Alana Mew, 0419 929 722
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