New workshops at Albany TAFE in WA will be used to deliver training in various trades including light and heavy automotive, metals and engineering, building and construction, and electrical and plumbing.
These modern new trades workshops at South Regional TAFE’s (SRT) Albany campus, represent a $22 million investment in modern TAFE facilities in the region by the WA Government.
Training and workforce development minister Simone McGurk officially opened the state-of-the-art workshops at SRT’s Albany campus on Wednesday (June 26).
These facilities replace ageing 50-year-old trade facilities to provide a contemporary training setting in line with industry needs.
“Developing the regional workforce – so we have skilled tradespeople such as electricians, engineers, motor mechanics, metal fitters and machinists and plumbers – is vital to diversifying WA’s economy as we move towards a clean energy future,” said McGurk.
“The project is expected to boost the capacity for training delivery, enabling access for approximately 20 per cent more students. It will also provide a training hub for the next generation of automotive, engineering, construction, electrical and plumbing workers for the region.”
The project also included relocating and upgrading the existing skills training workshop and establishing a new classroom for essential safety training like working at heights and entering and working in confined spaces. A separate project is being initiated to enable the transformation of an existing structure into a new carpentry and joinery workshop for the precinct.
Albany-based architectural firm H+H Architects designed the project, with local builder Wauters Building Company employing over 200 workers – including apprentices and trainees – to complete construction.
The new facilities will be named the Kinjarling Trades Workshops, in recognition of the local Noongar name for Albany. The naming aims to increase the understanding, value and recognition of local Aboriginal culture, history, knowledge and rights through culturally-appropriate learning.
The project is part of the state government’s record $250 million investment in TAFE infrastructure; and is complemented by its $25 million TAFE Modern Equipment program being rolled out across Western Australia’s TAFE network, which has provided two new electric vehicles and one new hybrid vehicle for SRT’s Albany campus.
Valued at $152,000, the new electric and hybrid vehicles aim to help TAFE students develop their skills, to be ‘job-ready’ once they complete their qualification.
In addition, SRT’s Albany campus has benefited from a total of $1.38 million in equipment through the TAFE Modern Equipment program, including a 3D printer, drone, skid steer loader, on-ground mobile brake tester and industrial process laboratory.