A new specialist training facility is the centrepiece of a $10.3 million expansion delivered by the StateGovernment at the historical Muresk Institute in Northam.
The $9.5 million specialist Agriculture Machinery Training Centre was officially opened today by the State Government, marking a new era of training at the facility.
For almost a century, Muresk Institute has been the home of agricultural training in Western Australia. It is located in the Wheatbelt on a working farm, ensuring industry-driven education and training opportunities are available to meet demand for skilled workers.
The Agriculture Machinery Training Centre modernises and expands Muresk Institute's facilities. Apprentices completing a Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology through Central Regional TAFE are to be the first to train in the new workshops, classrooms and information technology laboratories.
Muresk and Central Regional TAFE worked closely with industry in developing the apprenticeship to help meet demand for skilled technicians and mechanics.
Once trained, qualified technicians will service all types of agricultural machinery across WA's broadacre farming industry, with trade skills for mechanical, electrical, hydraulic operations, precision equipment and braking systems.
A new $800,000 industry-standard shearing shed was also recently completed at the Muresk Institute, providing students with high-quality training in wool handling and shearing.
The State Government has also delivered two state-of-the-art combine harvester simulators and a range of other agricultural machinery options, offering a realistic farm experience in a training environment.
Regional WA commercial builder ACorp Construction Pty Ltd carried out the majority of construction, while another regional WA company, GBSC Yurra, built the new shearing shed.