Training boost welcomed

News of a nationally accredited course in automation at TAFE has been welcomed with open arms by Hedland Senior High School.

Rio Tinto last week announced a partnership with South Metropolitan TAFE to establish courses in auto-mation, starting in 2019.

With a Certificate II course being developed aimed at Year 11 and 12 vocational education and training students, acting principal David Taylor said the partnership was an exciting prospect for local students to consider.

“Hedland Senior High School continues to benefit from a great deal of support from industry in terms of providing career pathways for our students,” he said.

“This is a great example of collaboration between industry and training — Hedland Senior High School has strong connections to industry leaders in this field and would welcome the including of the school in this training.”

Hedland Senior High School has a Year 10 robotics class with 14 participants who are about to compete in a national competition in Sydney, as well as a Trade Training Centre and rail school.

Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery said discussions with schools were happening now to gauge interest and a Certificate IV course would be offered through TAFE for those wanting to re-skill.

“We know the jobs of today and increasingly into the future will revolve around automation,” she said. “The WA resources industry has led the world in in-house development of automation training for their jobs.”