TAFE WESTERN says it is well prepared to meet an increased demand for training in mining-related industries as mining activity intensifies in Dubbo and surrounds.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Dubbo-based TAFE Western Acting Institute Director Sue Carey said the organisation already had an extensive range of training options and was regularly consulting mining companies with existing and developing operations about how training could be tailored to meet their needs.
She said TAFE Western had made a significant investment in equipment to train the growing local mining workforce.
“A recent investment is a second mining simulator to support training in the mining industries, which has been located in Dubbo for most of this year,” she said.
Ms Carey said there had been a high demand for introduction to mining courses offered by TAFE Western, with many high school students becoming aware of opportunities in the mining industry that would soon become available to them.
“Businesses are increasing the number of apprentices they are taking on in the mining and related industries,” she said.
“Earlier this month we held an industry event that brought all of the key players together to understand their options, with school students visiting our Narromine Road campus to meet with Job Services Australia providers in order to learn about careers in the mining sector.”
Ms Carey said, while there was an impression that mining jobs were only for miners, there were a range of roles that supported mining operations that TAFE offered training for.
“We are looking at those companies’ needs in both construction and extraction,” she said.
“We are finding out what the job roles are so that training can be matched to them.
“When it comes to heavy vehicle transport, for instance, the state-of-the-art training facilities at our Narromine Road campus are right up there with the very best.”
Ms Carey said a working party that had been formed as part
of a school-industry partnership involved TAFE Western staff discussing industry needs with mining companies Alkane Resources and Cobbora Holding Company.
Ms Carey said a skills and education forum in Dubbo on Friday would also bring together education and industry to formulate a strategic approach to skills development in the Orana region.