WesTrac has opened an autonomous technology training centre that will deliver skills associated with the operation of autonomous equipment.
The training centre is the second facility of its kind in the world, and will provide technical skills needed to run autonomous equipment in the resources sector.
The training hub is located near Collie in Western Australia and is backed by $2.7 million in funding from the Western Australian Government.
WesTrac chief executive Jarvas Croome said training has already begun at the facility.
“The initial focus is training in fit-out, calibration and maintenance requirements for the conversion and operation of existing Caterpillar haulage vehicles, which are used at most major mine sites around the country,” he said.
“We are also planning to expand the range of courses on offer to ensure the facility caters for the skills that will be in demand as the resource sector evolves and the roles associated with that evolution become more technically advanced.
“WA has the highest number of automated haulage fleets anywhere in the world and the WesTrac Technology Training Centre is a vital resource to support automation projects, as well as equipping existing and future workers with essential technical skills to drive the industry forward.”
Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan has also praised the new training hub.
“The WesTrac Technology Training Centre is a key contributor to ensuring Western Australia becomes a global centre for excellence in mining technology,” he said.
“It not only provides future job opportunities for people in the south west and across the state, but as the only facility for Caterpillar equipment training in the Southern Hemisphere, will attract trainees from across the country and globally when our borders reopen.
“The facility will also play a part in establishing a range of new opportunities for Collie and the broader South West region, and provides a great example of developing STEM career opportunities for the next generation of Western Australian workers.”