❓ The Minister for Training outlines how the new Collie training facility will provide opportunities for workers transitioning from the energy sector, complementing existing TAFE and Jobs and Skills Centre, with a focus on upskilling and retraining for emerging industries.
AnsweredQoN 476Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
COLLIE JUST TRANSITION PLAN — TRAINING FACILITY
476. Ms J.L. HANNS to the Minister for Training:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
$662 million Collie Just Transition plan to ensure sustainable, well-paid local
jobs in the Collie region into the future. Can the minister outline to the
house how the construction of a new training facility in Collie will allow for
new opportunities for workers in the Collie region; and can the minister advise
the house how this facility will work alongside the existing South Regional
TAFE Collie campus and the Collie Jobs and Skills Centre?
476. Ms J.L. HANNS to the Minister for Training:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
$662 million Collie Just Transition plan to ensure sustainable, well-paid local
jobs in the Collie region into the future. Can the minister outline to the
house how the construction of a new training facility in Collie will allow for
new opportunities for workers in the Collie region; and can the minister advise
the house how this facility will work alongside the existing South Regional
TAFE Collie campus and the Collie Jobs and Skills Centre?
AnswerView source ↗
I am very happy to answer this
question. It was great to join the member for Collie–Preston and
Premier Cook to visit Collie for the announcement of the $6.3 million new
training facility, which will help local workers transition into new jobs. I would
like to acknowledge the member's advocacy on behalf of her community.
There is probably no other electorate in this state that has faced the same
sort of almost existential issues that Collie has had to deal with as a community in transition. The member has
been a fierce advocate on the issues that have needed to be dealt with,
but she has also been realistic about mapping out a path for the community to
see a bright future, so I thank her for that.
This new training facility is, as
the member said, part of the $662 million Collie transition package that this
government has committed to to diversify the local economy and create new jobs
for local workers, including those impacted by the transition away from Collie
energy. Located at the former Forest Products Commission site, the new facilities are centrally located and,
along with the new Collie Jobs and Skills Centre, will provide assistance to local workers looking at a transition to a new career. That centre will
focus on short courses as well as full qualifications to upskill and retrain
existing workers, and deliver the training and skills needed for current and
emerging industries, including forklift operations, crane ticketing, tourism, lab
skills and renewable energy.
Construction
and refurbishment of the existing facilities will be undertaken throughout next
year and local contractors will be given priority for this work. The
refurbishments will transform existing facilities into fit-for-purpose learning spaces, including the installation of two
purpose-built transportable classrooms to support larger-style class training, and specialised training in lab
operations, which is in high demand in the member's area. South
Regional TAFE will operate the new facility and is working closely with
local industry to develop relevant courses and recruit qualified teaching
staff. This new training facility will complement the existing TAFE facilities
in Collie, as well as the Collie Jobs and Skills Centre, and will have the
potential to become a training hub for surrounding regions for bespoke,
industry-backed training for the jobs of the future.
The Collie Jobs and Skills Centre is
well on its way to providing a central point at which industry, workers and the
community can access practical assistance to make individual and tailored work
transitions. When the Premier and I joined the member in Collie recently we saw
this at firsthand. We visited the Jobs and Skills Centre which, as well as being open for business at the front
end, is also building new office space at the rear of the building, which is near to finalisation. Free specialist support is available at that centre to
assist with any training needs locals may have,
including skills assessments, recognition of prior learning, skills gap
analysis and customised plans to support any of those workers to build
their skills.
This government's investment
in a just transition for Collie will ensure that there will continue to be
sustainable, well-paid, local blue-collar
jobs in the Collie region, and that locals will have the right skills for those
jobs. We are starting to see real results, member—just looking at new
industries, for instance, there are opportunities with the new manufacturing
plant announced by Quantum Filtration Medium, as well as small grant
opportunities now available for small and medium-sized businesses. I think it
was the member herself who informed this house about the recent data showing
that the value of homes in Collie has risen by 55 per cent over the last three
years. I think that is a demonstration of the sort of confidence in the future
we are seeing in the local community of Collie and the surrounding area.
I am proud to be part of a government
that is bringing new industries, new businesses and new opportunities to
Collie. This is a demonstration of the work being done in a regional community
in transition. This is what Labor governments
do: we put in the work, we put in the investment, we support local people, we
support local communities , and we support local industries, and we are
with them for the long term.
The SPEAKER : The member for
Roe, with the last question.
question. It was great to join the member for Collie–Preston and
Premier Cook to visit Collie for the announcement of the $6.3 million new
training facility, which will help local workers transition into new jobs. I would
like to acknowledge the member's advocacy on behalf of her community.
There is probably no other electorate in this state that has faced the same
sort of almost existential issues that Collie has had to deal with as a community in transition. The member has
been a fierce advocate on the issues that have needed to be dealt with,
but she has also been realistic about mapping out a path for the community to
see a bright future, so I thank her for that.
This new training facility is, as
the member said, part of the $662 million Collie transition package that this
government has committed to to diversify the local economy and create new jobs
for local workers, including those impacted by the transition away from Collie
energy. Located at the former Forest Products Commission site, the new facilities are centrally located and,
along with the new Collie Jobs and Skills Centre, will provide assistance to local workers looking at a transition to a new career. That centre will
focus on short courses as well as full qualifications to upskill and retrain
existing workers, and deliver the training and skills needed for current and
emerging industries, including forklift operations, crane ticketing, tourism, lab
skills and renewable energy.
Construction
and refurbishment of the existing facilities will be undertaken throughout next
year and local contractors will be given priority for this work. The
refurbishments will transform existing facilities into fit-for-purpose learning spaces, including the installation of two
purpose-built transportable classrooms to support larger-style class training, and specialised training in lab
operations, which is in high demand in the member's area. South
Regional TAFE will operate the new facility and is working closely with
local industry to develop relevant courses and recruit qualified teaching
staff. This new training facility will complement the existing TAFE facilities
in Collie, as well as the Collie Jobs and Skills Centre, and will have the
potential to become a training hub for surrounding regions for bespoke,
industry-backed training for the jobs of the future.
The Collie Jobs and Skills Centre is
well on its way to providing a central point at which industry, workers and the
community can access practical assistance to make individual and tailored work
transitions. When the Premier and I joined the member in Collie recently we saw
this at firsthand. We visited the Jobs and Skills Centre which, as well as being open for business at the front
end, is also building new office space at the rear of the building, which is near to finalisation. Free specialist support is available at that centre to
assist with any training needs locals may have,
including skills assessments, recognition of prior learning, skills gap
analysis and customised plans to support any of those workers to build
their skills.
This government's investment
in a just transition for Collie will ensure that there will continue to be
sustainable, well-paid, local blue-collar
jobs in the Collie region, and that locals will have the right skills for those
jobs. We are starting to see real results, member—just looking at new
industries, for instance, there are opportunities with the new manufacturing
plant announced by Quantum Filtration Medium, as well as small grant
opportunities now available for small and medium-sized businesses. I think it
was the member herself who informed this house about the recent data showing
that the value of homes in Collie has risen by 55 per cent over the last three
years. I think that is a demonstration of the sort of confidence in the future
we are seeing in the local community of Collie and the surrounding area.
I am proud to be part of a government
that is bringing new industries, new businesses and new opportunities to
Collie. This is a demonstration of the work being done in a regional community
in transition. This is what Labor governments
do: we put in the work, we put in the investment, we support local people, we
support local communities , and we support local industries, and we are
with them for the long term.
The SPEAKER : The member for
Roe, with the last question.
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