New brand marks a new era in training

The Mid-West is about to embark on a new era in training.

Training and Workforce Development Minister Peter Collier today announced Central West TAFE would now be known as Durack Institute of Technology. 

"This is part of the Liberal-National Government's strategy to transform Western Australia's training sector," Mr Collier said.

"This will provide Durack with a new platform from which to build on its past achievements, enhance and evolve its products and services, and increase its student and client base locally and overseas.

"It is an exciting and challenging time to be involved in training and workforce development in WA.

"The Mid-West and Gascoyne regions are moving into exciting new territory, with major projects being developed in the mining, resources and science sectors, and training will play a vital role as these projects progress."

Durack is the latest college to undergo a change in brand, following the State Government's decision to provide colleges with greater autonomy, while giving them the opportunity to become more flexible, innovative and effective in a competitive marketplace.

"These changes will contribute greatly to raising the status of training and publicly-funded training colleges, while providing the opportunity for the colleges to be presented as centres of excellence," the Minister said.

This is a significant initiative for regional WA, opening up new opportunities for regional residents and very much supports the vision of a 'Smart Mid-West'.

The college's new brand is the latest phase of its evolution that has spanned more than half a century, when the doors first opened in 1958 as Geraldton Technical Education Centre.

It delivers more than 160 vocational education and training courses to students.

The Durack name honours a well-known pioneering family, who came to WA in the late 1800s to lay the foundations of the cattle industry in the Kimberley region.