Seventy-five new apprenticeships and traineeships across a range of disciplines are part of Transport for NSW's goal of keeping youths in regional areas like Dubbo.
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On Wednesday, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole announced the Transport for NSW Apprentice and Trainee Program was increasing its intake.
There are placements in nine areas: civil construction, business administration, bridge carpentry, heavy diesel mechanics, metal fabrication, line marking, electrics, painting and blasting, and safety and environment.
Amber Ohlsen is one of the apprentices who undertook the program.
During the press conference, Mr Toole surprised Ms Ohlsen with a full-time job as a road worker with the Regional Maintenance Central West Construction Unit.
She's been working in the maintenance and construction sectors, covering everything from fixing potholes and installing guideposts to helping widen roads.
"It was very new to me, coming to the construction side. All of it I had to learn from the start. But it's been great, the atmosphere, working with the crew, and the company, they have your back and support you, train you up," she said.
After thinking she hadn't done well at the interview, Ms Ohlsen said she was relieved and slightly shocked to have been offered the position in a job she loved.
The newly-appointed road worker said she loved how hands-on and outdoorsy it was, as well as learning new skills and information like how to build a road.
Mr Toole said the apprenticeship and traineeship program was committed to diversity with women accounting for about 40 per cent and 30 per cent Aboriginal people.
Ms Ohlsen said she would love to see more women in the industry.
"I know it's scary coming into a male-dominated industry but the guys are happy to teach you if you're happy to learn," she said.
"Don't be afraid, just because it's a male-dominated industry, you definitely can pull your weight. I think a lot more girls should give it a crack."
Transport for NSW director western region Alistair Lunn said the program would ensure youth stayed in their hometowns.
"The investment that we're doing in the Central West and the Far West of NSW is unprecedented at the moment and to keep those youth is really critical," he said.
Without that pathway, people tended to head for the city, Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders said.
But the expansion of the program would ensure there were people on the ground for regional maintenance and operational delivery, he said.
Applications for the 2021 intake are open now. Apply through Transport for NSW.
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