Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls officially opened the new Pinjarra Training Facility, which is located in a purpose-built building owned by Murray Engineering, a state-of-the-art engineering business catering to the mining industry at the Pinjarra Industrial Estate.
Mr Grylls said the facility would provide training for apprentices in the mining sector in areas such as mechanical and electrical engineering as well as heavy duty automotive training.
Polytechnic West will deliver the training program, which will see the apprentices receive formal training, and then experience hands-on training on modern equipment in the Murray Engineering workshop. Murray Engineering endorses first class training and safety standards, and has adopted best environmental practices.
“Due to the absence of local industry-based training, apprentices have to travel outside of the region for their training needs,” Mr Grylls said.
“The Pinjarra Training Facility is an example of how Government and industry can partner together to meet the needs of the resources sector.”
Training and Workforce Development Minister Peter Collier said the ability of registered training providers to provide apprenticeship training on up-to-date machinery, using industry relevant equipment, remained a constant challenge.
“So too is the desire to find appropriate accommodation for fly in-fly out apprentices undertaking block courses. The Pinjarra Training Facility has the ability, through a unique partnership arrangement, to provide the solution to both issues,” he said.
Mr Collier said a contingent of 15 apprentices commenced their training at the Pinjarra Training Facility on February 15 and which would expand to service apprentices from major resource companies such as Newmont, Alcoa, BHP Billiton Worsley and Barminco.
The facility, which has the potential to accommodate up to 300 apprentices, has the prospect of becoming a centre of excellence for Western Australian mining apprenticeship training.
Royalties for Regions has contributed $100,000 towards developing the Pinjarra Training Facility with a further $108,000 being provided by the Department of Training and Workforce Development
Training and Workforce Development Minister's office - 9213 7150