Joint release with Minister for Jobs and Innovation Michaelia Cash
The Turnbull Government has backed a world-first centre to train and skill the next generation of engineers and graduates to support Western Australia’s mining and resources sector.
Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham and Minister for Jobs and Innovation Senator Michaelia Cash today announced $3.9 million in funding for the Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Centre for Transforming Maintenance through Data Science at Curtin University.
Minister Birmingham said the new Training Centre was specifically designed to meet the skills needs of local mining and energy companies.
“This is about ensuring the local mining and resources sector get ‘the job ready’ engineers and graduates,” Minister Birmingham said.
“This Training Centre will ensure Western Australian mining companies have access to the best and brightest engineers and graduates with the knowledge and skills that they demand.
“Researchers will work closely with the CSIRO and major industry players Alcoa, BHP Billiton and Roy Hill Holdings to produce engineers and graduates that meet their specific needs and requirements.”
Minister Cash said the new Training Centre would contribute to work opportunities for Australians in the resources sector including mining, oil, gas and related industries.
“Job ready workers with the necessary technical skills and knowledge are what Australian businesses need to grow and develop. Industry training centres like this play a key role in getting workers ready,” Minister Cash said.
“The resources sector continues to be an important part of our economy. By upskilling our workforce, we will be able to ensure the sector is best placed to take advantage of future opportunities provided by advancing technology.
“This initiative also serves to develop and re-skill those workers currently engaged in the sector so that they are better able to adapt to the changing industry.”
The ARC Training Centre for Transforming Maintenance through Data Science is part of the Turnbull Government’s ARC Industrial Transformation Research Program.
It is part of $180.4 million in new ARC funding announced today to support 132 new research investments, led by Australian universities. For more information on these new research projects visit the ARC website.