The State Government's record investment in TAFE has delivered $580,000 in new cutting-edge technology to Central Regional TAFE's Geraldton campus, supporting local students to learn vital skills in automotive automation and engineering.
Minister Assisting the Minister for Training and Workforce Development Hannah Beazley today unveiled the TAFE's new engine management and UniTrain autotronics training equipment along with eight centre lathes.
The equipment was delivered as part of the State Government's $25 million investment in new state-of-the-art equipment being rolled out across Western Australia's TAFE network.
Geraldton TAFE is now able to offer industry-relevant training using the latest technology across a range of automation and engineering-related courses thanks to the new equipment.
Valued at $338,000, the engine management and UniTrain equipment is a computer-based training and experimentation system that covers basic and advanced electrical engineering and electronics.
Valued at $242,000 and used for the machining of metal parts, the eight new centre lathes will be able to manufacture cylindrical shapes from a range of materials including steels and plastics.
Central Regional TAFE received $3 million through the Modern TAFE Equipment Program.
Other new equipment at the Geraldton campus includes Nursing Anne simulators, an eight-tonne excavator, wheel loader and integrated tractor tool carrier.
TAFE colleges throughout WA are benefiting from the State Government's four-year program to provide new and upgraded training equipment to ensure students can learn on contemporary equipment that meets industry standards.
Minister Assisting the Training and Workforce Development Minister Hannah Beazley said, "The Cook Government is investing heavily in cutting-edge technology to equip regional Western Australians with the skills they need for the jobs of the future. Our $580,000 investment ensures students at Geraldton TAFE are trained using modern equipment and technologies that reflect what is being used in industry. Increasing the number of apprentices, particularly electricians, engineers, motor mechanics, metal fitters and machinists will be vital to ensure we have the skills to reach net zero by 2050."
Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton added, "This is an exciting announcement for our local students, as it gives them an opportunity to work with the latest cutting-edge technology. There is high demand for automotive mechanics and engineers in Western Australia's mining, resources, green energy, civil construction and defence sectors, so it's important TAFEs are providing skills in these fields. Along with the newly refurbished floating Master Class maritime training vessel, which opened last August, Geraldton now has so much to offer students."
