The Western Australian government will invest $3.7 million in capital works to improve training facilities in the areas of automation, cybersecurity, health, social assistance, and building and construction.
The facility enhancements are to take place at North Metropolitan TAFE’s Clarkson and Joondalup campuses.
Joondalup (Kendrew Crescent) campus will receive a $356,000 upgrade to support the creation of a Cyber Security Operation Centre, including a hacker room, defender room and control room. Work has commenced and classrooms will be operational in Semester 1, 2019.
“The establishment of a Cyber Security Operation Centre in Joondalup will provide the opportunity for students that are interested in pursuing this career path, and access to quality training in an area where there are expected to be more than 1.8 million jobs created in the next five years, nationally,” said Labor member for Joondalup Emily Hamilton.
The Clarkson campus will receive a $200,000 refurbishment of its general purpose classrooms to provide a multi-function space for the delivery of industrial automation training, which will also be complete for Semester 1, 2019 training delivery.
“The Clarkson campus will benefit from a refurbishment to provide a multi-function space for the delivery of industrial automation training,” said Labor member for Burns Beach Mark Folkard.
“These new and planned facilities at North Metropolitan TAFE will help ensure industry has access to highly trained people with the right skills.”
Health and wellness training at the Joondalup (McLarty Avenue) campus has undergone a major refurbishment with $950,000 allocated to enhance beauty therapy facilities. Works are complete and will be available for student use in Semester 1, 2019.
Planning is underway for a $1.85 million refurbishment of the campus’ allied health and social assistance training areas, which will assist Western Australia in meeting the skilled workforce needs of the NDIS rollout.
The project, anticipated for completion in December 2019, will provide a contemporary day training centre and simulated home care training rooms with real patients, so students can develop hands on skills to provide high-quality care in the areas of aged care and disability.
The building and construction training areas at the Clarkson campus will also receive a boost, with $390,000 allocated for the expansion and weatherproofing of outdoor training areas to be completed by December 2019.
WA premier Mark McGowan said that establishing and upgrading the training facilities was a critical part of the government’s effort to boost jobs and opportunities in the state.
“Specialist training in the key areas of cybersecurity and automation will give Western Australians the opportunity to get ahead of the game, with the skills they need to take up the jobs of the future,” McGowan said.