New electrical centre delivers training in Pilbara

• New $9.5 million facility boosts opportunities for local training
• Supported by a $7.76 million investment through Royalties for Regions

A new Liberal National Government training facility opened today at North Regional TAFE's Karratha campus, meeting the demand for locally trained electrical engineers in the Pilbara.

The $9.5 million project was made possible through a $7.76 million investment from the Liberal National Government's Royalties for Regions' Pilbara Cities initiative and a $1.74 million contribution from the Woodside-operated North West Shelf Project and Pluto LNG.  Woodside's apprentices will be trained at the centre.

Deputy Premier and Training and Workforce Development Minister Liza Harvey said the Electrical and Instrumentation Centre of Specialisation would also allow for new courses to be delivered locally.

"This electro-technology training centre will provide high-quality, industry relevant training opportunities previously only available outside of the region," Ms Harvey said.

"The centre will support training for electrical apprentices, higher level courses for qualified electricians who need specialist skills development, and electrical trade career pathways for school leavers.

"For the first time in almost a decade, North Regional TAFE will be offering a Certificate III in Engineering - Industrial Electrician. This is in response to industry demand for this qualification to be delivered in the Pilbara region, and exactly the outcome the recent TAFE reform process set out to achieve."

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said providing access to skills development and training was critical in attracting and retaining regional residents.

"The local workforce will have increased access to trade and post-trade training to address the needs of the Pilbara's growing engineering industry, which meets the priorities of the Pilbara Regional Investment Blueprint," he said. "This Royalties for Regions investment will help create opportunities to reinforce employment prospects and strengthen the regional economy."

The new facility will include state-of-the-art equipment, including interactive computer-based training aids, training rigs and instrumentation.  This will provide the TAFE college with opportunities to expand training delivery into electronics, communications, renewable energy, signalling and electro-technology maintenance.

Fact File

• The centre will be supported by a feeder facility at North Regional TAFE's Pundulmurra campus in South Hedland, which is currently under construction
• North Regional TAFE is the largest provider of training and vocational services in WA's north, delivering more than 200 nationally recognised qualifications each year
• There are big things happening in regional WA.  Find out how Royalties for Regions is transforming your regional community at https://rfrmap.drd.wa.gov.au

Deputy Premier and Training and Workforce Development Minister's office - 6552 5900

Regional Development Minister's office - 6552 6700