South Metropolitan TAFE is training students for Industry 4.0

The Governor visited the South Metropolitan TAFE campuses in Munster and Naval Base to tour their state of the art training facility and learn about the courses offered to students to advance their careers in the oil and gas industry, and areas relating to robotics. The campuses are focused on creating a future ready workforce to meet WA’s needs.

South Metropolitan TAFE has developed partnerships across applied engineering and the resource sector, spearheaded by Rio Tinto. They have developed a series of qualifications in automation, including low level qualifications for existing workers through to additional micro-credentialing for trades people.

Terry Durant, Managing Director; Brenda Micale, General Manager; Jonathon Maile, Executive Director and Ty Theodore, Portfolio Manager took the Governor on a tour of the campus and into classrooms to meet some of the students.

The Governor spoke with students in their first week undertaking Certificate II in Automation. This is an entry level certificate created in conjunction with Rio Tinto to up-skill the workforce.

Next, the Governor spoke with students in the Women in Engineering program entering their third week of a six month course. The TAFE has had a partnership with Chevron for many years where they sponsor a group of women to increase the opportunities available for women in the oil and gas industry.

Continuing through, the Governor met with naval personnel undertaking exams. They were using simulated haulage processes using M bots to represent the guidance and detection software used in the mining sector to automate vehicles.

After an update on how COVID-19 has impacted international students through the TAFE system, the Governor was invited to tour the Naval Base campus. This campus is centred on shipbuilding and other defence industry support.

This campus is dedicated to engineering, fabrication, fitting and machining and defence related trade agreements. The TAFE has a strong relationship and alliance with the WA industry defence office and naval ship building office – each invested in supporting and training the workforce of tomorrow.

“Western Australia’s TAFE system is so marvelously attuned to the needs of our students and industry – both now and into the future. I commend the South Metropolitan TAFE’s outstanding work in many areas, including their robust industry partnerships integral to our State’s prosperity.”

Governor

View all Articles