New centre to boost skills for WA construction industry
Chris Evans
posted Friday, 10 February 2012
A new state-of-the-art skill centre in Western Australia will help boost the number of qualified construction workers and allow existing workers to keep their skills up to date, Minister for Skills, Senator Chris Evans said today.
Opening the Civil Contractors Federation Skill Centre in Jandakot today, Senator Evans said the facility, built with the help of a $1.8 million grant from the Australian Government’s Industry Skill Centre program, would help meet the rising demand for skilled construction workers across the State.
“Western Australia has the lowest unemployment rate in the country and the demand for skilled workers continues to rise,” Senator Evans said.
“By 2015, the WA market will need some 76,000 workers with qualifications ranging from a Certificate I through to post-graduate qualifications, but the projected student completion rate is significantly short of that at around 63,000.
“There are endless opportunities for Western Australians – this facility will help them get the skills they need to access the jobs they want.”
The CCF Skill Centre will offer world-class industry training using the latest technology, which will raise standards in the industry.
“Trainees will have access to cutting-edge, up to the minute technology – they will be able to develop practical construction skills using simulators that mimic real life situations,” Senator Evans said.
“The CCF Skill Centre is proof of the opportunities that are available when Government works in partnership with industry to provide the best possible training outcomes for Australians – training that will get them the skills they need to access the jobs they want.
“The Gillard Government is committed to skilling Australians and the best way to ensure workplace training meets the needs of employers is to work with them to deliver that training.”
Senator Evans said the Gillard Government’s $558 million investment in the National Workforce Development Fund showed its commitment to skilling Australians to meet the job demands of the future.
“This funding will allow new employees and existing workers to upskill through Certificate and Diploma-level qualifications,” Senator Evans said.
“On the ground, this is going to make a difference to more than 24,600 people. This is not only good news for the individual and their employers, but also for the broader economy.”
The CCF Skill Centre received $1.8 million under the Federal Government’s Industry Skill Centre program which was matched by the Civil Contractors Federation Western Australia.
Tags: Education, Skills, Trades, Training