Site of Collie’s new $6.3 million training centre revealed

• Cook Government announces site of Collie’s new $6.3 million training centre
• Part of the State Government’s Collie Transition Package
• Building refurbishment plans underway for construction and fit-out in 2024
• Local contractors to be prioritised for the work

The Cook Government has today unveiled plans for a new $6.3 million South Regional TAFE onsite training facility in Collie, to help local workers transition into new job opportunities.

The new facilities, which will be in addition to the existing South Regional TAFE Collie Campus, are part of the State Government’s $662 million Collie Transition Package to diversify the local economy and create new jobs for workers impacted by the retirement of State-owned coal power stations.

The Forest Products Commission (FPC) building at 20 Throssell Street in Collie will be transformed to deliver training in skills needed for current and emerging industries, including forklift operations, crane ticketing, tourism, laboratory skills, and renewable energy.

It is anticipated many of these courses will be delivered as short courses to upskill and retrain existing workers in response to emerging opportunities in the local economy.

The FPC will continue to have a presence in the region as it implements the State Government’s $350 million softwood Plantation Expansion Program.

Planning is underway for construction and fit-out in 2024, with local contractors to be prioritised for the work. It is anticipated the facilities will be open for training in 2025.

The Cook Government’s investment in the Collie workforce is an important part of work to diversify the local economy and ensure there are suitable, long-term jobs in the region.

To be operated by South Regional TAFE in close proximity to the new Collie Jobs and Skills Centre and the existing Collie TAFE campus, the new facility will enhance services being provided to support the transition of local workers.

The new facilities complement other training initiatives being implemented in Collie, including Just Transition Working Group’s 2023 Worker Survey, which aims to inform development of training programs for the local workforce.

The funding is on top of the $243.3 million that the Cook Government is investing to upgrade TAFE colleges across Western Australia, ensuring students are learning in industry-standard, first-class facilities.

Click here to read the full Media Statement