Funding to revitalise Pilbara training and meet industry demand

  • $22 million to upgrade North Regional TAFE’s Pundulmurra campus in South Hedland
  • New facilities will expand and consolidate trades training in South Hedland
  • Expanded training in plant mechanic and engineering trades as well as new commercial cookery training
  • New facilities will produce job-ready students to meet local resource sector requirements
  • As part of the Rebuilding our TAFEs plan, Premier Mark McGowan was in South Hedland today to announce $22 million for new industry-standard trades training workshops at North Regional TAFE’s Pundulmurra campus.

    Training in South Hedland is currently segregated, with light and heavy vehicle, and metal trades training conducted at an annex offsite from the main Pundulmurra campus.

    The project will bring training together in one place to create a Pilbara Specialist Centre, which will improve trade training outcomes so students graduate job-ready for local employment opportunities, particularly in the resources sector. 

    The upgrade will include a purpose built, industry-aligned heavy plant and engineering trades training facility and enable the delivery of a number of new qualifications in engineering – mechanical and fabrication and mobile plant technology.

    While existing equipment will be relocated from the annex, funding has also been allocated to purchase contemporary trade training equipment.

    A new commercial cookery facility, targeted at catering for resource sector employees, to enable the delivery of the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery will also be constructed as part of the project.

    The Pundulmurra campus spend is part of a $167.4 million investment in capital works projects, announced by Premier McGowan last month, which will see five Western Australian TAFE colleges significantly upgraded.

    North Regional TAFE’s Broome, Kununurra and Minurmarghali Mia (Roebourne) campuses will also receive new facilities through the initiative.

    As part of the McGowan Government’s commitment to regional WA, more than half of the total spend has been allocated to regional projects.

    The capital works projects, key to the State Government’s $229.2 million Rebuilding our TAFEs plan, will deliver state-of-the-art learning opportunities for students and boost the Western Australian economy by generating jobs.

    The State Government has recently increased the number of half price courses available, as part of the Lower fees, local skills initiative. Initially launched in January, the initiative halved the cost of training for 34 high priority qualifications. In July, the program was expanded to include an additional 39 courses slashed by up to 72 per cent to align with the State’s immediate economic needs following COVID-19.

    As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:

    “This is all part of our plan to drive WA’s economic and social recovery, by creating a pipeline of local jobs through investment in infrastructure projects and support of vital industries.

    “My Government has conducted extensive industry consultation in the Pilbara and not only will this project create local jobs it will also meet the training needs of WA’s vital resources sector.

    “Investing in training in regional areas will ensure we are well positioned to bounce back as the WA economy recovers.”

    As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:

    “The new state-of-the-art training facilities will meet demand for more skilled workers in the region by expanding training options.

    “It will ensure that local students learn skills that apply to the local area and keep them employed in the region long-term.

    “Consolidating all training to the Pundulmurra campus will also add greater vibrancy to campus life.”

    Education and Training Minister’s office – 6552 5700

    /Public Release. View in full here.