Students in Melbourne’s west will be given the chance to break into the construction industry with scholarships funded through the West Gate Tunnel Project.

In 2018, five students will be awarded a scholarship, through not-for-profit organisation Western Chances which provides scholarships, opportunity programs and ongoing support to assist talented and motivated young people in Melbourne’s western suburbs who lack the finances, resources and networks to fulfil their potential.

The scholarships funded by the West Gate Tunnel Project will be valued at $5000 over four years to help students with educational costs such as textbooks, technology and public transport.

The scholarship recipients will also be offered a cadetship on the project in their second year of tertiary education.

Through the partnership with Western Chances, the project has committed to fostering the development of nearby western communities through education, in areas including Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton, Moonee Valley and Wyndham.

Each year Western Chances delivers programs, which remove social, economic and cultural barriers to education for hundreds of talented young people in Melbourne’s western suburbs.

The West Gate Tunnel Project, one of the largest road infrastructure projects Victoria will see in a decade, is creating approximately 6,000 jobs with 500 of these for people entering the workforce such as apprentices, trainees and graduates, and 400 jobs for people from the west.

The West Gate Tunnel Project will provide a much-needed alternative to the West Gate Bridge and save people from the west up to 3 hours a week in travel time, providing better access to jobs and education and more time with family and friends.

Construction starts in early 2018 and will be open to traffic in 2022.

Quotes attributable to Treasurer and Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“We want to give young people the help they need to get a job in construction.”

“No matter who you are, it’s about giving everybody a chance. We’re grateful to Western Chances for their foresight and understanding of the importance of education for all students.”

Quotes attributable to Western Chances Chief Executive Officer, Rhyll Dorrington

“With the western suburbs being one of the fastest growing regions in Victoria, demand for financial support for young people is growing and we welcome the support of the West Gate Tunnel Project.

“These scholarships and cadetships will have significant and ongoing positive impacts on the lives of the recipients and helps Western Chances continue its work helping talented and motivated young people in Melbourne’s west.”