The ongoing issue of skill shortages in Western Australian industry is to be addressed with the announcement of a new multi-campus $8 million technical college to service the resources sector and the Pilbara community.
The ongoing issue of skill shortages in Western Australian industry is to be addressed with the announcement of a new multi-campus $8 million technical college to service the resources sector and the Pilbara community.
The Australian Technical College, to be established in Karratha within the Pilbara TAFE precinct, is part of a Federal government commitment to establish 25 ATCs across Australia, and the Pilbara college is the 22nd such facility to be announced.
WA's first ATC was announced last month, with $16 million in commonwealth funding to be provided to build a college in Maddington.
WA Education and Training Minister Liljanna Ravlich and the chief executive of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy, Tim Shanahan, welcomed the news that an Australian Technical College is to be established in Karratha.
Commencement on the ATC, which will build on existing facilities, is planned for 2007, and on completion it will cater for up to 110 students.
Ms Ravlich said the Pilbara ATC was the product of the strong partnership between the State Government, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association.
"The Pilbara ATC will be established in Karratha to deliver school-based apprenticeships across the region, with campuses at South Hedland, Roebourne and Onslow," the minister said.
Mr Shanahan said the ATC was strongly backed by the major resource companies in the Pilbara including BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Woodside Energy Pty Ltd.
"The chamber wants to see the development of sustainable communities in the Pilbara where people want to live and to see their children educated, trained and working," Mr Shanahan said.
The Pilbara ATC would complement existing programs delivered in schools, including the School Apprenticeship Link program, which last year saw 41 young people in the area commence the SAL program.
Students attending the ATC will be able to start training in Year 11, before beginning an apprenticeship in Year 12 in engineering, construction, automotive or commercial cookery.
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New Australian Technical College for the Pilbara
Skills training for young people in the Pilbara has received a major boost, with the announcement of a new multi-campus technical college to service the resources sector and the Pilbara community.
Education and Training Minister Liljanna Ravlich and the chief executive of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy, Tim Shanahan, welcomed the news that an Australian Technical College (ATC) would be established at Karratha.
Ms Ravlich said the Pilbara ATC was the product of the strong partnership between the State Government, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA).
"This is exciting news for the State economy and for the Pilbara," the Minister said.
"The Pilbara ATC will be established in Karratha to deliver school-based apprenticeships across the region, with campuses at South Hedland, Roebourne and Onslow.
"The college reflects commitment by the Government and the chamber to ensuring the Pilbara has the skilled workers to meet the demands of the booming resources sector."
Mr Shanahan said the ATC was strongly backed by the major resource companies in the Pilbara including BHP (Billiton) Iron Ore, Pilbara Iron (Rio TInto Group) and Woodside Energy Pty Ltd.
"The chamber wants to see the development of sustainable communities in the Pilbara where people want to live and to see their children educated, trained and working,"
Mr Shanahan said.
"The ATC will also provide greater opportunities for Indigenous people to be trained and employed in the resources sector."
Commencement of the ATC is planned for 2007 with up to 110 students and will build on existing facilities with $8million to upgrade trade-training facilities in the region.
Ms Ravlich said the Pilbara ATC would complement existing programs delivered in schools, including the School Apprenticeship Link (SAL) program.
"Last year, 41 young people in the Pilbara commenced the SAL program and 35 of them are now in apprenticeships," she said.
"Students attending the ATC will be able to start training in Year 11, before beginning an apprenticeship in Year 12 in engineering, construction, automotive or commercial cookery.
"At the same time, they will be continuing their Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) studies."
The Minister said WA was leading the nation in the delivery of apprenticeships and the ATC would allow the State to build an even stronger economy.
