THE $21 million Australian Centre for Energy and Process Training, established to address the chronic shortage of skilled workers within the oil and gas industry, has welcomed its first intake of students. Based at the Australian Marine Complex, Australian Centre for Energy and Process Training (ACEPT), which is hosted by Challenger TAFE on behalf of TAFEWA, was developed in collaboration with the state and federal governments together with resources companies. Challenger TAFE managing director Liz Harris said more than 200 students were enrolled in courses at the facility, which features a fully operational process train that separates oil from water, and utilises nitrogen separated from the air as an inert gas in the process. “The ACEPT process train replicates those used within the mineral, chemical and oil and gas processing industries, which means students are given real-world, practical training,” Ms Harris said. Once students have completed their certificates, they will be work-ready and able to fill jobs where they are desperately needed, Ms Harris said. Industry has welcomed the ACEPT facility, with Chevron Australia a particularly strong supporter of the ACEPT facility, participating in training courses and providing financial support for the purchase of training equipment. Chevron general manager operations Carl Brannen said the desire for a stronger local workforce resonated within the oil and gas sector. Mr Brannen said an important feature of its Gorgon project was working with government and training providers to build a skilled local workforce that can help plan, construct and operate this project, as well as other major projects. ACEPT plans to introduce three new qualifications towards the end of 2008, including a Diploma of Process Technology, Advanced Diploma of Process Technology and an Associate Degree in Engineering (Process Engineering.)
