Pilbara TAFE – Working With Industry
The Pilbara region covers an area of 502,000 square kilometres with a population of 41,153 and includes the Shires of Ashburton, Roebourne, East Pilbara and the Town of Port Hedland.
The region boasts some of the largest open-cut mines in the world as well as vast reserves of oil and gas. In fact, the Pilbara region produces approximately 8% of Australia’s exports and is considered the power-house of Australia.
Located in a region that contributes to Western Australia’s strong economy, Pilbara TAFE plays an important role in ensuring that the Pilbara’s incredibly rich resources sector continues to generate wealth for the state and its people through education and training.
In response to a widespread skills and labour shortage, Pilbara TAFE has been involved in a number of collaborative projects with resources sector industries, local employers and community organisations, the results of which have culminated in new job opportunities and employment growth throughout the region.
Working with industry, the region has seen a significant increase in the number of traineeships offered, many of which were taken up by local Indigenous people. A considerable increase in the ‘fast-tracking’ of apprenticeships in the traditional trades has also contributed to the college’s growth in its employment-based training (EBT) profile.
Programs contributing to this growth include:
- Newcrest Mining – this highly successful hospitality studies program for local Indigenous people provided new employment opportunities for the students, a large percentage of whom are women.
- BHP Billiton - increase in the number of students being ‘fast-tracked’ through Automotive, Fitting and Fabrication trade apprenticeships
- Pilbara Iron – increase in the number of students being ‘fast-tracked’ through the Electrical and Fabrication trade apprenticeships
- Ngarda Mining – significant increase in the local people being employed in Metalliferous Mining traineeships
- BHP Billiton/Pilbara Job Futures – increase in number of Metalliferous Mining trainees resulting in employment outcomes for the students, many of whom are Indigenous
- Pilbara Iron – training at the Parnngurr and Jigalong Indigenous communities has provided pathways to employment with Pilbara Iron through its Aboriginal Training and Liaison (ATAL) program.
- Traineeship numbers increased in the areas of Warehousing and Engineering Production through Pilbara TAFE’s Pundulmurra campus.
