A tender for the construction of a dedicated industrial conveyor belt trade training facility at the Midland campus of North Metropolitan TAFE has been issued this week, with the design development stage now complete.
The $2 million project is fully funded by the Western Australian Government and is included in its Mid-year Review.
Construction on the facility is expected to be completed in October 2021 with training forecast to commence in Semester 1, 2022.
Fremantle-based Armstrong Parkin Architects designed the facility, which will be used to deliver a qualification in the repair, maintenance and installation of the conveyor belts used in industries such as mining and logistics.
The shed-style workshop will house a conveyor area, splicing table area, workshop benches, tool storage, an external undercover area and a ‘chalk and talk’ area for theory-based learning.
Specialist industry-standard equipment will support the delivery of a Certificate III in Polymer Processing.
The Midland area was identified in the State Government’s Review of Skills, Training and Workforce Development, undertaken in response to COVID-19, as being a key area for skills, training and employment investment.
In response to the review, Western Australia’s network of Jobs and Skills Centres was expanded to include a new location at North Metropolitan TAFE’s Midland campus.
Education and Training Minister, Sue Ellery, said that industrial conveyor belt operations and maintenance require specialised expertise that is critical to industries such as mining and logistics.
“There are more than $100 billion worth of Western Australian resources projects in the pipeline, and it’s vital that we support training for an industry that employs so many WA locals and delivers significant benefit to the WA economy,” she said.
For more information about local training opportunities contact the Midland Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64 or North Metropolitan TAFE.
