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Announced by the WA Government yesterday, the $13 million Australian Centre for Energy and Process Training was expected to be completed late-2006, replacing the existing Subiaco facility with a new centre in Henderson, south of Fremantle.
Hosted by Challenger TAFE and funded by the Australian National Training Authority Infrastructure Program, the centre was a key recommendation of the 2002 Burrup Skills Taskforce.
It would offer nationally recognised courses for 350 entrants a year.
Premier Geoff Gallop said the centre would make WA a world-class leader in resource sector training. The tertiary sector had pledged its support to the facility by ensuring training places, providing training and curriculum expertise, and contributions of plant and equipment, he said.
“This new facility has significant support and commitment from the industry, TAFEWA and WA’s university sector,” he said.
“The centre will also help link the vocational and higher educations sectors, enabling the creation of education and training pathways that will allow students to maximise their full potential.
“Our priority is to ensure the skills needs of the industry are met and that employment opportunities for Western Australians are maximised so that we can all share in the benefits of the growing resources sector. The research centre is part of our commitment to expanding knowledge-based industries, such as information technology, chemistry and biotechnology.”
ACEPT would complement the government’s $20 million commitment in June towards the Western Australian Energy Research Alliance (WA ERA) between CSIRO Petroleum, Curtin University of Technology and the University of Western Australia.
The grant would help develop a strong research group in WA dedicated to developing innovative, sustainable energy technologies and solutions for the global oil and gas industry.
The Centre would be co-located at the Common User Facility in Henderson, alongside the Australian Marine Complex.
