Premier Mark McGowan, Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery and Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray today opened Stage 1 of major upgrades to South Regional TAFE’s Collie campus.
Local architect Kent Lyon and local builder Smith Constructions were engaged to complete Stage 1 which includes a fully refurbished main administration and teaching block to deliver essential training, including aged care, to the region.
The opening of the new facilities coincided with the launch of a new pilot program that will deliver advanced skills to truck drivers to increase productivity and industry safety.
The Heavy Haulage Driving Operations Skill Set, endorsed by the Western Roads Federation, was developed following considerable industry consultation and will fill key skills gaps for this essential service.
The five-week course has been developed to support workers and businesses and gives drivers the end-to-end skills needed in their workplace and help jobseekers increase their employability.
The course will also give participants eight units of competency from the Certificate III in Driving Operations and a leg up to complete the full qualification. South Regional TAFE is working in partnership with Keens Truck Driver Training to deliver the new program.
The Western Road Federation will work with its industry partners to ensure course participants have at least one interview with an industry employer within a month of completing the program.
The pilot will commence in July using the newly upgraded facilities and will move to a dedicated training space to be constructed as part of Collie’s Stage 2 upgrade.
The Stage 2 upgrade will see a new training space created from the full refurbishment of two classrooms, bathrooms and student breakout spaces, with new furniture and IT equipment included.
It is anticipated Stage 2 will be underway before the end of the year and will be completed early in 2021 at an estimated $0.5 million.
For more information, visit jobsandskills.wa.gov.au or contact your local Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64 or South Regional TAFE.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“The revitalisation of South Regional TAFE’s Collie campus means the campus is positioned to attract and retain locals who want to undertake industry relevant training.
“This important election commitment is progressing, and I look forward to this facility delivering first class training to people in Collie and the South-West in years to come.
“While the new training program will see Collie placed at the forefront of training transport workers and has the potential to create a range of opportunities for Collie residents.
“My Government is focused on ensuring Collie’s long-term prosperity, by creating sustainable jobs and building the skills of the local workforce.”
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
“The importance of the transport industry has never been more evident than during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Truck drivers have kept Western Australia moving and we are proud to invest in this new training program and facilities that will upskill this essential workforce.
“The McGowan Government continues to invest in skills relevant to WA’s economy which will also aid our State’s COVID-19 recovery.”
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“Western Roads Federation approached the Premier, Minister for Education and Training and myself to create a dedicated training course for drivers and we have responded.
“I am really pleased the Heavy Haulage Driving Operations Skill Set will commence next month.
“We have worked collaboratively with industry and the training sector to ensure this program will give drivers the skills they need while also helping jobseekers increase their employability.
“There is a looming shortage of truck drivers in WA and the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how vital the freight industry is to our State.”
As stated by Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray:
“The upgrades to South Metropolitan TAFE in Collie and the announcement of a specialised truck driver training program are brilliant news for the region.
“Regional students deserve the very best and the upgrades to the campus provide modern, practical facilities for course delivery and student training.
It’s also fantastic that the Collie campus will provide advanced skills for truck drivers with congratulations to the transport industry for having a keen involvement in the program’s development.”
