The State Government is celebrating another successful year of delivering new cutting-edge equipment and technology, as part of the $25 million modern equipment program and record investment across Western Australia's TAFE network.
Combined with the State's free and low-fee training initiatives and $250 million investment that has delivered the largest TAFE capital works program in WA's history, this investment is providing world-class learning opportunities for students across all regions of the State.
Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk observed this achievement while visiting South Metropolitan TAFE's (SM TAFE's) new state-of-the-art 3D metal printer being used to train applied engineering students in skills used in the manufacturing, mining and defence industries.
The equipment is providing students at SM TAFE's Munster campus with access to industry-relevant training using the latest technology across a range of courses, including the Certificate III in Engineering - Technical, Diploma of Engineering - Technical, Advanced Diploma of Engineering (Mechanical), and Diploma of Applied Technologies.
With the purchase of the 3D metal printer, SM TAFE can now deliver hands-on training in production of metal components across a range of applied engineering applications.
Students will be able to manufacture items such as machinery components that would normally require specialist skills and fabrication equipment to produce, taking their product ideas from the concept and design phases through to a finished product using the 3D metal printing technology.
Metropolitan and Regional TAFEs have all benefited from the State's investment, which has students training in modern facilities and on contemporary, industry-standard equipment that reflects what they will encounter in the workplace.
The investment supports training demand and emerging industry needs, which will help students, apprentices and trainees to become job ready.
Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk said "The Cook Government's investment in cutting-edge technology is equipping Western Australians with the skills they need to leave TAFE prepared for the jobs of now and the jobs of the future."
"Our investment in modern equipment ensures students at TAFE campuses across the State are trained using equipment and technologies that reflect what is being used in industry."
"Our investment is having an increasingly crucial role as our State prepares for future workforce needs."
"Increasing the number of apprentices, particularly in trades such as electricians, engineers, motor mechanics, metal fitters and machinists will be vital to ensure we have the skills needed for WA to reach its target of net zero by 2050."
"With affordable training courses and hundreds of millions of dollars in new facilities, equipment and technologies, there has never been a better time to take up opportunities to train at WA TAFEs."
Table: Examples of Modern TAFE Equipment delivered to WA TAFE colleges
| Campus | Training delivery area | Description | Total (excluding GST) |
| North Metropolitan TAFE | |||
| Balga | Electrical | Electromechanical training system, data acquisition and control interface used to teach DC motors and generators to electrical apprentices. | $636,715 |
| Balga, East Perth and Midland | Electronics and Communications | Digital radio, spectrum and vector network analysers, oscilloscopes, and signal generators used to teach measurement, testing, and the troubleshooting of electronic and radio communications equipment to students studying electronics and communications courses. | $171,182 |
| East Perth | Surveying | Twenty Global Navigation Satellite Systems and 20 robotic total stations used by surveying students to measure and collect spatial data. | $1,277,257 |
| East Perth | Laboratory Operations | Reverse osmosis unit, spectrophotometer, and autotitrator used to teach monitoring, operating, and control of water treatment processes and analysis techniques to students pursuing a range of water industry and science courses. | $474,112 |
| East Perth | Integrated Technologies and Automation | Industrial robotic arms that can select, sort, reorient and place items on a surface in a production line, used to teach diagnostics, programming, and maintenance of equipment and processes to robotics students. | $292,340 |
| Leederville | Health | Milling unit, computer-aided software, scanner, and printer used to teach dental technology apprentices how to construct dental restorations and appliances. | $119,700 |
| Midland | Light Auto and Rail Operations | Petrol and diesel rigs used to teach service, diagnosis and troubleshooting of petrol/diesel engines and vehicle electronics to students and pre-apprentices training in light vehicle servicing. | $636,046 |
| Midland | Fitting, Machining and Engineering | Offline programming robot used by engineering (heavy fabrication and light fabrication) apprentices learning how to create large and complex robotics programs, and by fitting and machining students training in CNC Programming to learn how to create set points and manipulate projects. | $345,550 |
| Mount Lawley | Anaesthetic Technology | Automated operating theatre - radiolucent, multi-position headrest, multi surgical positioning, removable leg section, patient warming system, and operating table used to teach anaesthetic technology students in a simulated work environment to prepare them for the hospital theatre environment. | $168,418 |
| Perth | Film and Television | Professional multicolour LED television studio lighting system to teach camera and film lighting as part of video content creation skills development to students training in photography, media, content creation and screen courses, and the film and TV Career Taster Program activity. | $117,480 |
| South Metropolitan TAFE | |||
| Bentley | Hospitality, Tourism and Events | Replacement ovens and cooktops used to train hospitality students in commercial cookery and patisserie, including VET Delivered to Secondary Students. | $178,622 |
| Carlisle | Panel Beating | Large high-tech spray painting booths including three full downdraft spray booths, one semi-downdraft spray booth, one paint mixing room, two gun-cleaning stations and four preparation bays, and upgrades and additions to extraction systems, used to train apprentices and pre-apprentices on industry-standard equipment in automotive refinishing and industrial coating trades. | $1,369,234 |
| Fremantle | Defence and Logistics | Electric counterbalance forklift (1.6-tonne lifting capacity, four-metre lifting height, 1.5-metre turning radius), used to deliver the licence to operate a forklift truck unit, which provides students with skills and qualifications for work in the growing logistics, warehousing, manufacturing and construction industries. | $34,800 |
| Kwinana | Light Automotive | Asymmetrical vehicle hoist used by school-based education support students, apprentices and international students training in light automotive qualifications. The equipment allows the driver's front door to open wider, giving better access to the inside of vehicles. | $10,690 |
| Mandurah | Business and Finance | Simulated Business Centre including reprographics, dual-screen workstations, collating/binding equipment, reception counter, meeting space, telephone system and audio-visual capability for training students across a range of business and finance qualifications (including VET Delivered to Secondary Students). | $66,870 |
| Munster | Applied Engineering | Metal 3D printer, wash and sinter used to train applied engineering students in the production of metal components across a range of applied engineering applications. | $305,593 |
| Murdoch | Science | Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy spectrophotometer and various equipment used to train laboratory technology students. The instrument is the industry-standard for analysing samples at an elemental level and can be used to analyse an extensive range of elements, including those common in WA's mining industry, setting students up to work at mining industry analysis laboratories. | $118,034 |
| Naval Base, Mandurah and Thornlie | Marine Fabrication/ Heavy Fabrication | Horizontal bandsaws that incorporate modern features to make the cutting of materials more efficient and accurate and used in the training of engineering - mechanical trade (fitting, machining and fitting/machining) apprentices. | $30,750 |
| Rockingham | Mechanical Fitting | Lathes used for the training of engineering - mechanical trade (machining) students to create intricate and precise items in an efficient and repeatable manner, critical to engineering work. | $502,436 |
| Thornlie | Heavy Automotive | Electronically controlled training simulator of a skid-steer loader with a hydrostatic transmission capable of simulating a range of operating conditions and loads, and used to safely train engineering/mobile plant apprentices to diagnose faults and repair and maintain hydrostatic transmission systems. | $220,083 |
| North Regional TAFE | |||
| Broome | Civil Construction | Tip truck and trailer used to develop entry-level skills and knowledge for work in the resources and infrastructure industries. | $175,965 |
| Broome | Civil Construction | Tandem roller used to develop skills and knowledge required for operational roles using plant and machinery in the civil construction industry. | $45,000 |
| Broome and Pundulmurra | Automotive | Hybrid vehicles used to introduce the skills required to work with hybrid-powered vehicles in automotive trade and pre-trade training. | $80,709 |
| Broome, Karratha and Pundulmurra | Conservation and Ecosystem Management | Drones used to develop the foundation skills required to work with drone technology in conservation and ecosystem management, ecological restoration and environmental sustainability. | $79,118 |
| Karratha | Electrical/ Instrumentation/ Renewables | Various equipment used to create a new energy training lab to support trade skills and knowledge development required to move from working with carbon-intensive power generation and towards renewable energy generation and storage. | $881,935 |
| Pundulmurra (Hedland) | Nursing | State-of-the-art manikins and all-in-one patient monitoring systems to support the development of industry-ready patient care and monitoring skills through clinically realistic simulated patient care scenarios. | $101,832 |
| Pundulmurra (Hedland) | Fabrication / Engineering | AC/DC TIG and MIG welders with pulse control used to develop contemporary industry-ready fabrication skills across a range of engineering trade and pre-trade training. | $100,338 |
| Pundulmurra (Hedland) | Nursing | Eight computers on wheels used in the state-of-the-art Pundulmurra Simulation Ward to facilitate training in contemporary health care practice. | $65,624 |
| Pundulmurra (Hedland) | Heavy Diesel | Heavy commercial vehicle transmission cutaway trainers (5 speed automatic and 13 speed manual) used for teaching inspection and servicing theory. These cutaways allow students to view the internal working of individual elements within various transmission systems. | $41,276 |
| Pundulmurra | Fitting and Machining | Radial arm drill, swivel head slotting machine, industrial motorised hydraulic press (100-tonne), providing industry-standard equipment used by fitting and machining students to train in essential industry skills. | $34,900 |
| Central Regional TAFE | |||
| Geraldton | Automation | Engine management and UniTrain system used to train light, heavy, auto electrical and mobile plant automotive apprentices to enhance their skills and automotive systems knowledge and understanding. | $338,288 |
| Geraldton | Engineering | Eight new lathes used to train fitting and machining and mechanical fitting apprentices and pre-apprentices to enhance learning outcomes in these training areas. | $241,755 |
| Geraldton and Northam | Nursing | Nursing Anne simulators with geriatric modules providing for safe and realistic practice in core nursing skills from basic assessments and critical thinking to advanced interventions, to prepare nursing and individual support students to care for diverse patients. | $303,832 |
| Geraldton and Kalgoorlie | Heavy Plant | Wheel loaders used for the training of mobile plant apprentices, students undertaking civil infrastructure qualifications or those needing to gain operating tickets to work in industry. | $545,850 |
| Kalgoorlie | Light Auto | Petrol and diesel engine on stands used to train automotive light and electrical apprentices in the diagnosis and repair of faults. Also used in the delivery of an air-conditioning short course, in apprenticeship training, and by VET Delivered to Secondary Students. | $323,036 |
| Kalgoorlie | Heavy Plant | Three-tonne excavator used to train mobile plant and plant apprentices in units including hydraulics, hydrostatic transmissions and tracked vehicles. | $176,140 |
| Kalgoorlie | Hospitality | Barista coffee machine used to prepare students for work in the in-demand hospitality industry. | $21,769 |
| Moora | Agricultural Mechanical Technology | Forklift (3.5-tonne lift) used to deliver training at Moora campus and surrounding areas, including how to meet work health and safety requirements when loading and unloading freight. | $35,540 |
| Northam | Automotive | Petrol and diesel rigs used by Agricultural Mechanical Technology apprentices training to gain the skills and knowledge needed to work on agricultural machinery and equipment. | $174,029 |
| Northam and Kalgoorlie | Automotive | Hybrid vehicles used in the delivery of apprentice, VET Delivered to Secondary Students and short course training for local vehicle dealerships needing to upskill staff on hybrid and electrical vehicle systems locally instead of them travelling to Perth. | $80,614 |
| South Regional TAFE | |||
| Albany | Heavy Automotive | On-ground mobile brake tester supporting the delivery and assessment of courses for heavy commercial and agricultural mechanic apprentices and pre-apprentices. | $143,500 |
Albany and Bunbury | Light Automotive | Electric vehicles (hybrid, full electric, electric plug and scan tool) for the training of automotive electrical and light vehicle mechanical apprentices in the depowering and repowering of this emerging technology. Also supports delivery of Career Taster Program experiences to school students. | $282,646 |
| Bunbury | Surveying | Robotic total stations, Global Navigation Satellite System and laser scanner technologies used by surveying students to measure and collect spatial data. | $232,255 |
| Bunbury | Metal Fabrication | Water jet cutter for cutting out detailed metal shapes, project-specific designs and cutting metal at speed, in the delivery of engineering (heavy fabrication, fabrication and boilermaking/welding) pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships. | $219,144 |
| Bunbury | Engineering | Centre lathes used by engineering (fitting, machining and mechanical trade) apprentices and pre-apprentices to turn round objects, screw cut and offset, complete tapers and other key tasks of the trade. | $184,777 |
| Collie | Process Control Training (Automation) | Fabrication of a transportable skid complete with process piping, air receiver and removable valves and spools, used to simulate an autonomous process for students training in autonomous workplace operations. | $32,750 |
| Denmark | Music and Art | Recording equipment for mixing and recording music required for training in music qualifications. | $5,885 |
| Katanning | Industrial Skills | Forklift to provide students undertaking forklift and Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations skill sets with knowledge and skills to operate a forklift truck, and load/unload cargo of goods safely. | $25,000 |
| Manjimup | Agriculture | Forty-horsepower tractor to provide students studying agriculture courses with practical experience in managing and manoeuvring mid-sized tractors for various farming tasks such as tillage, hauling, and other essential agricultural duties. | $29,055 |
| Narrogin | Nursing | Smart interactive display 86-inch lecture theatre smart screen with motorised stand used in the delivery of nursing and other training at Narrogin campus, to improve access to technology and modernise the delivery of training to the local community. | $7,190 |
Note: The above table provides a selection of equipment delivered to WA TAFE colleges through the Modern TAFE Equipment Program - it is not a complete list.
