Tag: training

Komatsu, which is in its centenary year this year, turned the first sod on a new $6m state-of-the-art innovation training facility in Welshpool, WA on August 18. The facility is expected to train up to 500 skilled technicians a year, addressing a worsening skills shortage in WA’s mining and resources sector. This shortage is due to a decrease in interstate migration, with increased competition between Eastern states and WA projects. Komatsu western regional manager Glenn Swift and City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas were attendance at the turning of the first sod. The new workshop will be kitted out with a 30t crane in a heavy lifting bay, with the balance of the workshop having a 5t crane capacity,…

Goal Indigenous Services and Stork Technical Services Australia have joined forces to launch their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) Traineeship program in WA. This program is believed to be the first of its kind, leading the way in Indigenous involvement and development for the NDT industry. Goal Indigenous Services will recruit, mentor and support the trainees, with Stork providing the technical expertise and mentoring, along with an environment to grow and develop into qualified NDT professionals. The South Metropolitan TAFE is the assigned training facility providing a bespoke, tailor-made curriculum. Stork Regional Director Tony McAnulty said Stork was delighted to kick off the program. “We look forward to expanding this initiative throughout our operations,” he said. “Delivering…

A pilot programme which offers complete training for truck drivers was announced by Sue Ellery, Minister of Education and Training yesterday, accompanied by the WA Premier, Mark McGowan. The new course is titled the Heavy Haulage Driving Operations Skill Set, and is endorsed by the Western Roads Federation. It was developed following considerable industry consultation and will fill key skills gaps for this essential service. The course runs for five weeks and will teach of a range of skills that encompass the entire truck driving experience including time and personal safety and management such as eating well, sleeping management and more. The five-week course will help jobseekers increase their employability by giving participants eight units of competency from the Certificate…

BEFORE deciding on becoming an apprentice with Hastings Deering – a Caterpillar dealership based in Brisbane – Jim Walker was all set to become a teacher. “My passion and heart were with my dad in the earthmoving industry,” Mr Walker said in a speech at a recent WA Mining Club industry luncheon. “I loved every day. I’d get some jobs that weren’t great, but I’d quickly forget about those when the next exciting one came along,” he said. Jobs have been a hot topic in the mining industry for some time and while the lack of university graduates may have garnered the most headlines, only 20 per cent of mining jobs today require a university degree. For Mr Walker, as…