Feds kick in $1m for electrical college

THE federal government has provided $1 million in funding towards the fit-out of a new skills centre for the College of Electrical Training in Jandakot. The purpose-built centre, which was opened in March this year, contains six training rooms, three large workshops and accommodation for 10 full-time trainers. The college is part of the National Electrical and Communications Association of Western Australia, and provides training for more than 1,000 students in total. Courses range from pre-apprentice and apprenticeship qualifications for electricians to advanced post-trade training, with a number of new programs to be introduced. These will include higher-level qualifications and school-based apprenticeships, which allow year 11 and year 12 students to begin trades training. The college provides hands-on electrical training and other skills courses, including business management, estimation, safety training and computer use. It caters for all sections of the electrical industry, particularly electrical contractors, and including the domestic, commercial, industrial and mining sectors. The new facility, which adds to the college’s other WA campus in Balcatta, currently trains 200 students, and the intake is expected to increase in the near future.