Funding for Wiluna school’s training program

  • McGowan Government to contribute $50,000 a year for the next three years to support training opportunities for students at Wiluna Remote Community School
  • The school’s unique training model utilises a trade training centre to provide local students and community members with skills that lead to employment
  • Strong links with mining industry to connect local people with job opportunities
  • Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery today visited Wiluna Remote Community School, announcing it would receive $50,000 a year for the next three years for its unique training model.

    The State Government funding will complement contributions already made by the Shire of Wiluna and local industry to the trade training centre, which tailors training for students that lead to local job opportunities, particularly in the mining industry.

    In 2017, Central Regional TAFE (CR TAFE) transferred ownership of the school to the Department of Education, marking the start of a new partnership and unique training model for the delivery of vocational education and training in Wiluna. Local Martu elders are involved in determining the courses that run and CR TAFE delivers the training.

    The Wiluna Remote Community School trade training centre is supported by the Shire of Wiluna and local industry, including Matilda Operations Pty Limited, GWR Group Limited, Salt Lake Potash Limited, Northern Star Resources Limited, Rosslyn Hill Mining Pty Limited, Cameco Australia Limited, Kalium Lakes Limited, Blackham Resources Limited and Echo Resources Limited.

    Courses include Automotive, Conservation and Land Management and a Rangers program. Last year, the first group of students graduated with a Certificate I in Conservation and Land Management. Other training programs support the skills required for the mining industry in the areas of civil construction, loader and welding.

    A new initiative for 2020, supported by Salt Lake Potash Limited which has a salt lake site less than 15 kilometres south of Wiluna, will see female secondary students join an engagement program. Up to 15 students will learn work-based business and hospitality skills at school, with a view to gaining employment with the company.

    As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:

    “The McGowan Government is pleased to join with local mining companies and the Shire to contribute $50,000 a year over the next three years to ensure young people in Wiluna have access to further training and help create pathways to employment.

    “The school is smaller than other secondary schools with a trade training centre but no less important when you consider how important these courses are to the local Martu community.

    “By working directly with the Martu community and local industry, and delivering relevant training on site through Central Regional TAFE, we are providing these students with the relevant skills that employers in the region are looking for.

    “The training model delivered at the centre is a fantastic local initiative that will give the community access to courses that offer real career and life opportunities well into the future.”

    As stated by Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Kyle McGinn:

    “The centre provides tailored training programs to support the growing jobs and skills needs of the community, for example the local mining operations and the State Government’s Wiluna-Meekatharra Road Upgrade project.

    “It is great to have local industry contributing because we are ensuring the training is linked to jobs.

    “There is both an individual and community benefit – students can gain employment locally and employers have access to a skilled local workforce.”

    “The staff at the Wiluna campus, in particular Mac Jensen, punch well above their weight in terms of extremely successful delivery of their programs, excellent engagement with students, and great outcomes for individual students and the wider community.”

    Minister’s office – 6552 5700

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