- WesTrac Technology Training Centre in Collie
receives its first international students
- Significant investment
by the Cook Government has positioned Collie for a strong future
Regional Development Minister Don Punch has congratulated the WesTrac
Technology Training Centre in Collie for achieving an exciting milestone, as it
welcomes its first cohort of international students.
The visit by employees from Toromont Cat - the Caterpillar Dealer in Eastern Canada - marks another
accomplishment for the cutting-edge
training facility.
More than 500 students have enhanced their skills at the advanced
training centre since it was officially opened in November 2020.
The arrival of the group from Canada is the first-time students have
travelled from overseas to take up training following delays during the COVID
pandemic.
The group is spending eight days in Collie, at the WesTrac Technology
Training Centre, to complete the Command for Haul Service training for
technicians who service, maintain and calibrate the technology layer on
Caterpillar autonomous haulage trucks.
They will then spend four days training at WesTrac's head office in
Guildford.
A grant of $2
million from the Collie Futures Fund helped to establish the training facility.
A further $1 million in State Government funding has been allocated to expand
the range of training services offered.
The Collie Futures Fund aims to
diversify the region's economy to create more opportunities for local people,
as the town transitions from emissions-intensive industries.
The Cook
Government is continuing to work with the community and industry to set up
Collie for a strong future, with local jobs for local people across a range of
industries.
Comments can be
attributed to Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
"Cook Government
funding has attracted new industry to Collie - and these game-changers are
setting up the community for a strong future.
"It's great to see
Collie on the world map as a leader in autonomous technology training.
"The centre is the
first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, has trained up hundreds from WA
and wider Australia, and is now attracting people from overseas."
Comments can be attributed to Collie-Preston MLA Jodie
Hanns:
"This is the first of what is expected to be many
more training opportunities for international students.
"Collie is a great part of the world to be
undertaking training - there are some incredible visitor attractions in the
region like the Wellington Dam mega-mural and world-class network of adventure
trail network.
"Most importantly, these international visitors will be
supporting local accommodation and service providers boosting the local economy
and supporting small businesses."
