Premier Mark McGowan, Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan and Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray have today officially opened Collie’s WesTrac Technology Training Centre, the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
The cutting-edge, advanced skills training centre in Collie includes a dedicated autonomous vehicle training facility for the resources industry and will support a pipeline of jobs and economic opportunities for Collie.
The training centre is only the second of its type in the world focusing on the technical skills needed to operate autonomous equipment for use in the resources sector, which are in rising demand globally.
With an initial focus on Caterpillar mine haulage vehicles, the centre is set to attract technicians from resource companies from other Australian States and the wider Asia-Pacific region once borders reopen.
The State Government contributed $2.7 million to the facility, its latest investment from the $20 million Collie Futures Fund which is aimed at diversifying Collie’s economy and creating jobs.
The training centre was jointly developed by WesTrac and the landowner, Bluewaters Farm Holdings, at the Coolangatta Industrial Estate, near the Bluewaters power station.
The new facility complements Collie’s rich history as an industrial hub and builds its capability for Mining Equipment, Technology and Services.
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As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“We want WA to become a global centre for excellence for mining technology and the WesTrac Technology Training Centre will help put us on the map and support our efforts.
“It not only provides future job opportunities for people in the South-West and across the State, but as the only facility for Caterpillar equipment training in the southern hemisphere, will attract trainees from across the country and globally into the future.
“The facility will also play a part in establishing a range of new opportunities for Collie and the broader South-West region, and provides a great example of developing STEM career opportunities for the next generation of Western Australian workers.”
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“When the Collie Futures Fund was launched by the State Government, it opened the doors to new industry to create jobs and broaden the town’s economic base.
“Today, one of the key projects supported by the fund has come to fruition, and we are proud to see this incredible WesTrac Technology Training Centre formally open.
“This facility is crucial in meeting growing demand for training in autonomous technology, particularly in the resources sector, and all from Collie in regional WA.”
As stated by Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray:
“It’s great to be able to say this centre is now officially open just eight months after we announced it would be supported through the Collie Futures Fund.
“This is a unique training centre that will certainly bring new people to and through Collie because there isn’t another like it in the southern hemisphere.
“When people come to town to do training they’ll stay in our accommodation, eat at our restaurants and cafés, and shop in our stores – and then they’ll come back on holidays because there is more for them to see and do that they couldn’t get to while training.”
