Apprentices and school-based trainees are now learning in two new state-of-the-art trades workshops at North Regional TAFE’s Pundulmurra campus.
Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk today opened the site’s new Heavy Automotive and Mobile Plant and Fitting and Engineering workshops.
The new workshops will help to train local skilled workers in heavy automotive, heavy mobile and fixed plant, and engineering trades to support the resources sector, which is the largest employer in the Pilbara.
Designed by MPS Architects and constructed by Decmil Group, the new trades workshops include classrooms and specialist training areas.
The workshops are also equipped with modern, industry-standard equipment as well as existing equipment relocated from the decommissioned South Hedland annex.
“Qualified tradespeople are in high demand for jobs throughout the Pilbara, particularly in the resources and construction industry, with demand only expected to increase in the coming years as WA transitions to clean energy,” said McGurk.
“The workshops will provide a training hub for the next generation of heavy automotive, heavy mobile and fixed plant, and engineering workers for the region.
“These new facilities will allow more local people to access hands-on training in modern workshops fitted with the latest industry-relevant equipment – so that they’re ‘job ready’ when they finish their training.”
Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel added, “The new trades facilities at Pundulmurra significantly increase capacity for vocational training in the Pilbara, enabling North Regional TAFE to meet the region’s trade training demands.
“These new facilities will enable people to get the skills they need locally – and go on to a rewarding career right here in the Pilbara.”
The $43.2 million Pundulmurra Trades Expansion project – part of the State Government’s Rebuilding our TAFEs plan – also includes the construction of a new hospitality training block, due to be completed mid-year.
In addition to the new trades workshops and hospitality block, the campus also has a new $1.1 million horticulture workshop that was completed in 2022, and $4.6 million in upgrades to the light automotive and automotive electrical training facilities, which were completed in 2023.
The Pundulmurra Trades Expansion is a key regional project, which forms part of the largest TAFE capital works program in Western Australia’s history, with the state government investing $243.3 million in upgrades to essential infrastructure at TAFE colleges across the state.