Thirty-two Aboriginal trainees have completed their nationally accredited vocational training courses at the Australian Potash’s Laverton Training Centre (LTC).
Beginning in March, Central Regional TAFE offered multiple short courses in automotive and mechanical engineering, machinery operation, operating and maintaining chainsaws, and first aid.
The participants, who reside in various areas across Goldfields, completed short courses with a 100 per cent attendance and success rate for the first semester, with 17 trainees completing their construction industry Work Health and Safety White Card.
“Living in the Northern Goldfields, the majority of employment opportunities are based within the mining industry,” Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent said in a statement.
“This fantastic new training facility gives young people in the region the opportunity to get on a positive pathway to employment in the region,” Kent added.
Alannah MacTiernan, regional development minister, said the LTC has established partnerships with industry players to establish real employment pathways for Goldfields people to take up opportunities in mining, road building, and land restoration.
“The quality of the mentorship on this program has seen an extraordinary attendance rate and completion rate for participants who come from very diverse backgrounds,” said MacTiernan.
The LTC was established in early 2022 following a $250,000 award to Australian Potash through the fourth round of the Regional Economic Development Grant Program.
The centre is run in conjunction with the Central Regional TAFE Kalgoorlie campus, which focuses on providing Aboriginal people with skills that would allow them to access Aboriginal Ranger Programs and road work roles, as well as in mining and civil construction.
