The Western Australian Government’s record investment in TAFE is supporting North Metropolitan TAFE to boost the flow of essential water industry skills for a healthy and thriving Western Australia.
Students at the new Kep Water Operations Laboratory at North Metropolitan TAFE’s East Perth campus are now training on new equipment and technologies following the $1.1 million investment in new laboratory facilities.
Training and Workforce Development and Water Minister, Simone McGurk, said “The Western Australian Government is investing heavily to prepare Western Australians for the jobs of now and the future.
“This impressive new laboratory and modern equipment at North Metropolitan TAFE’s East Perth campus will inspire more Western Australians to consider skilling and upskilling for jobs in the essential water operations industry.
An additional $476,000 investment in modern equipment and technologies for the laboratory was funded through the State Government’s $25 million Modern TAFE Equipment Program.
After engagement with a local Aboriginal Knowledge Holder, the Water Operations Laboratory will be named ‘Kep’, which means ‘water’ in the Noongar language.
The new laboratory provides students with essential skills to monitor, operate, and control water processes within advanced water plants. It builds on existing water operations training offered at North Metropolitan TAFE and provides a new entry pathway to careers in water operations.
Students get hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment that directly translates to their future careers, providing a new pipeline of skilled workers for this vital industry.
The water operations industry plays a crucial role in various sectors by ensuring a reliable supply of clean water, which is essential for communities, manufacturing, resources, agriculture, energy production, and health care.
The new equipment supports the delivery of qualifications, including Certificate III in Water Industry Operations for new students or existing workers wanting to upskill or complete a formal certificate and Certificate IV in Water Industry Operations for existing workers.
Upon completion of their training, students can enjoy job opportunities as water treatment plant operators and water quality officers.
North Metropolitan TAFE is working with Horizon Power at its East Perth campus to train workers in the operation and maintenance of stand-alone power systems. These systems are part of the Government’s commitment to delivering sustainable and reliable power and water services to remote communities.
“Our Government’s investment in modern equipment and technologies for WA TAFEs is timely as our State welcomes opportunities from the clean energy transition, in which water operations have a critical role,” said Ms McGurk.
“TAFE colleges throughout WA are benefiting from the Western Australian Government’s four-year program to provide new and upgraded training equipment to ensure students can learn on contemporary equipment that meets industry standards.”
This investment builds on the Western Australian Government’s $70.5 million joint investment to establish a Clean Energy Skills National Centre of Excellence for Western Australia, which will support local people to skill up for our clean energy future.
The centre will operate across the WA TAFE network and be a skills leader in clean energy science, engineering, construction, and operation, supporting the net zero transformation.
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