Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery, who was in the Pilbara today to open the Hedland Career Expo 2020, has announced the appointment of Western Australian firm MPS Architects for the new $22 million TAFE trades training facility at Pundulmurra campus.
The upgrade will expand and consolidate trades training in plant mechanic and engineering trades as well as new commercial cookery training, to the benefit of local secondary students, job seekers and career changers.
The planned refurbishment will involve extensive industry consultation to meet local resource sector training requirements.
It is part of the McGowan Government's Rebuilding our TAFEs plan, which includes a record $167.4 million investment to fund upgrades to essential infrastructure across Western Australia's five TAFE colleges.
Today's expo, organised by Bloodwood Tree Association (Bloodwood), was attended by 44 employers and service providers including BHP, FMG and Programmed, and more than 450 local secondary students.
It is an example of the ongoing collaborative relationship between Bloodwood and North Regional TAFE, who also work with Empowering People in Communities to deliver training information and career development services throughout the region.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"The new state-of-the-art training facilities will meet demand for more skilled workers in the region by expanding training options.
"This is an important project to ensure local students have the opportunity to learn skills that apply to the local area to keep them employed in the region long-term."
As stated by Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:
"The project at Pundulmurra and the Hedland Career Expo showcases the important local partnerships designed to benefit the region.
"We are investing in training to ensure we are well positioned to bounce back as the WA economy recovers."
