$25 million for modern equipment at WA TAFE colleges

• $25 million for state-of-the-art TAFE equipment, delivering on election commitment
• Meeting current and emerging industry training needs
• All five TAFE colleges to receive new training equipment to support training demand
• Training and skilling Western Australians for local jobs to meet industry needs

Premier Mark McGowan and Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery today announced details of the State Government's $25 million investment in new equipment for Western Australia's TAFEs, to train students and create a pipeline of job-ready graduates.

 

TAFE colleges across WA will receive $25 million of modern equipment as

part of a four-year program to upgrade and modernise their equipment to contemporary industry standards - helping students, apprentices and trainees become more job-ready.

 

TAFE colleges identified areas of need based on local demand and emerging industry training needs.

 

South Regional TAFE will receive more than $1.1 million as part of Stage 1 of the TAFE Training Equipment Refresh Program.

 

The Collie campus will receive $670,000 to purchase a heavy vehicle simulator and automation training equipment.

 

The heavy vehicle driving simulator will equip students with simulated working conditions, allowing them to receive high quality training prior to driving large trucks on the road.

 

The new equipment at the Collie campus will support the delivery of the Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations Skill Set, adding more skilled workers to the essential transport industry to meet increased demand created by local infrastructure projects, including the Bunbury Outer Ring Road.

 

More than $380,000 will go towards automation equipment for the Albany campus, including industrial process automation simulated plant and a programmable logic controller system.

 

Other highlights of Stage 1 include:

• $300,000 common rail diesel trainer for rail operations at North Metropolitan TAFE's Midland campus and $593,000 for electromechanical training systems across the Balga, Clarkson and Midland campuses;
• $1.4 million to install large high-tech spray painting booths for panel beating at South Metropolitan TAFE's Carlisle campus;
• $2 million for heavy plant equipment across Central Regional TAFE's Geraldton and Kalgoorlie campuses; and
• $178,000 for nursing equipment at North Regional TAFE's Pundulmurra campus and $1.4 million for hydrogen and renewable energy equipment at the Karratha campus.

The $25 million investment adds to the McGowan Government's record $184.3 million package for essential infrastructure upgrades across the TAFE colleges, which is currently underway.

 

Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:

 

"As part of our work to revitalise the TAFE sector, we continue to invest significantly in training to give Western Australians access to industry standard facilities to help deliver a high quality education.

 

"Our low fee training has delivered strong results, with enrolments increasing significantly, putting more Western Australians on the pathway to quality local jobs.

 

"Providing TAFE students with state-of-the-art equipment complements our important work to grow a job-ready skilled workforce.

 

"The strength of the Western Australian economy makes these initiatives critical to ensuring industry has access to a skilled local workforce."

 

Comments attributed to Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:

 

"Our highly successful Lower fees, local skills initiative has seen a huge increase in people undertaking vocational education and training courses in WA.

 

"We want to make sure these people are learning on industry-standard equipment so they are immediately productive in the workplace.

 

"Western Australians can be assured that training delivered at WA TAFE colleges will be to industry standard, practice and quality."

 

Comments attributed to Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns:

 

"Collie TAFE has gone from strength to strength in recent years, with major upgrades and new course offerings providing quality training for local people.

 

"This brand new equipment will support the delivery of Collie TAFE's heavy haulage driver training and process control training - providing real world skills to local students.

 

"Our focus on training in Collie is providing every opportunity for students, young and old, to secure quality, well-paid jobs in a range of industries."

 

Premier's office - 6552 5000

Education Minister's office - 6552 5700