A Sandvick underground mining truck similar to that donated by Barminco. Image: Sandvick.
Mining giant Barminco has donated a decommissioned Sandvick underground mining truck to the South Metropolitan TAFE to be used by students learning to repair mining equipment and studying underground mining operations.
The refurbished underground truck is valued at about $1.8 million when new. The company says it had completed its service life in the mines, and the donation will now serve the industry as a training resource for plant mechanic apprentices, trainees and students at South Metropolitan TAFE’s Heavy Vehicle Mechanical Training Centre.
Located at the college’s Thornlie campus, the Heavy Vehicle Mechanical Training Centre has current industry equipment that mirrors real-life working environments to equip students with job-ready skills. The equipment allows students to diagnose and repair a range of mining and civil construction equipment, including dump trucks, bulldozers, loaders, graders, drill rigs and heavy plant machinery.
Training Minister Simone McGurk thanked Barminco for the generous donation, saying it will help train the mining and heavy automotive workforce of the future.
“Providing students with contemporary machinery ensures when they land jobs they’re already equipped with the skills demanded by industry – so they can hit the ground running,” she said.
“The mining and resources sector is a vital component of the State’s economy, and this is a fantastic example of how WA TAFE colleges work closely with the mining industry to provide training that leads to real jobs.”
Barminco is a subsidiary of the Perenti Group company, which is one of the South Metropolitan TAFE’s largest employers of apprentices. Of the more than 90 of the company’s active apprentices, 70 heavy-duty mechanical apprentices are training in the TAFE’s Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology and Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade (Plant Mechanic) qualifications.
Thornlie MLA Chris Tallentire said, “South Metropolitan TAFE’s strong links with industry are helping to ensure students leave TAFE with skills that are desirable to employers.
“Thanks to Barminco for investing in training and WA’s future mining workforce with another generous donation to Thornlie’s Heavy Vehicle Mechanical Training Centre.”
