Minister for Training and Workforce Development Hon. Peter Collier today officially opened Durack Institute of Technology’s Adaptable Trade Skills Workshop. The $2.5 million facility will increase local capacity to train building and construction apprentices - starting with the reinstatement of plumbing and gas fitting training.
Plumbing and gas fitting apprentices will now have access to first class training facilities previously accessible only in Perth. The workshop will also cater for other construction trades as demand requires and is planned to cater for refrigeration and air conditioning apprentices in the near future.
Durack’s Managing Director, Bert Beevers said the new facility means the Institute will be at the forefront in the race to supply the skilled workers needed by industry.
“Last year we trained 307 building and construction students from pre-apprenticeship through all apprenticeship stages. With the new workshop we expect this number to increase to around 400 students,” said Mr Beevers.
The three storey, 600 square metre skills training workshop located at Durack’s Fitzgerald Street campus in Geraldton is designed to be adapted and used collaboratively by various trades with the ability to simulate multi-storey constructions within.
With the convenience of Durack’s student accommodation, apprentices from the Mid West, Gascoyne and Pilbara now have an attractive option to complete their block training here in Geraldton.
The workshop was funded by the Funded by the Department of Training and Workforce Development with plumbing and gas fitting equipment, materials and services sponsored by local businesses.