New underground mine in the city

Training Minister Peter Collier has today opened a simulated underground mine at Central Tafe, which will give students a taste of underground mining life without leaving the city.

The CUT Mine is a former service tunnel under the college's Aberdeen Street campus, which was converted by a set design company that lined the cement walls with material to simulate rock faces containing copper, gold and nickel.

The mine also includes a refuge chamber, donated by MineARC.

Mr Collier said this facility, backed by industry support, would help Western Australians gain skills and qualifications to be a part of the state's economic future.

"Students who are undertaking the Certificate III in Mining Exploration will use the tunnel to learn face mapping techniques and basic mine safety," he said.

"Graduates of the six-month course will go on to be employed as exploration field assistants, pit technicians and underground geo-technicians.

"Working underground is not for everyone and The CUT Mine gives students a realistic taste of spending long hours with the only lighting from a lamp on their helmet."

Mr Collier also announced today that Central Tafe will be changing its name to the Central Institute of Technology, in line with government plans to lift the prominence training sector.

In August, the state government announced it would create a new department dedicated to training by splitting the Department of Education and Training into two.

Today, Mr Collier said the Department of Training and Workforce Development will be launched in 10 days.