Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan has welcomed the celebration of 32 Aboriginal trainees, who have completed nationally accredited vocational training courses at Australian Potash's Laverton Training Centre (LTC).
Since training began in March, students have completed multiple short courses delivered by Central Regional TAFE, including automotive and mechanical skills, machinery operation, operating and maintaining chainsaws and first aid.
The program has attracted participants from across the Goldfields, including Laverton, Mount Margaret, Leonora and Wiluna. They have 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.
The LTC was established in early 2022, after Australian Potash was awarded $250,000 through Round 4 of the Regional Economic Development Grant program.
The centre is run in conjunction with Central Regional TAFE Kalgoorlie campus, which provides Aboriginal people with valuable qualifications to access employment pathways into Aboriginal Ranger Programs and road work roles, as well as mining and civil construction.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"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.
"The Laverton Training Centre is working with industry partners to establish real employment pathways for Goldfields people to take up opportunities in mining, road building and land restoration."
As stated by Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent:
"Living in the Northern Goldfields, the majority of employment opportunities are based within the mining industry.
"This fantastic new training facility gives young people in the region the opportunity to get on a positive pathway to employment in the region."
