Signing of training contract with RAN

19/6/94

The Western Australian Department of Training and the New South Wales TAFE Commission have signed a $4.5 million training contract with the Royal Australian Navy.

The three-year-contract involves training about 350 leading Seamen and Petty Officers each year, as marine and electronic technicians.

Employment and Training Minister Norman Moore said today the training would be delivered through the Rockingham Campus of South Metropolitan College of TAFE, and the Sydney Institute of Technology's Ultimo Campus.

The contract was signed in Sydney last week (Tuesday) with Rear Admiral Peter Briggs.

Mr Moore said the successful tender was prepared by WA's College of Customised Training   the Department of Training's commercial arm.

The agreement comes after an earlier contract between the parties last year, to provide training for more than 2,500 Navy personnel.  About 200 sailors have already successfully completed training in new defence technologies through the Rockingham Campus.

"This second contract demonstrates the confidence the Navy has in the ability of this State's TAFE system to deliver quality commercial training," Mr Moore said.

"It is very significant because the Navy is renowned for its extremely high standards of internal training.  To entrust that training to TAFE in Western Australia and NSW is a great compliment."

The training, which would start in October, has been designed to embrace the Navy's quality control processes, as well as those of TAFE in WA and NSW.

Sailors who undertook the full-time courses would receive civilian accreditation to Advanced Certificate level.

Media contact: Brian Lucas, Managing Director of the College of Customised Training 448 7186(h)

Ross Storey 339 3972 (h)  Mobile: 018 950 142