A Karratha civil construction company hopes its new training simulator will help address workforce shortages and training challenges in the region.
A Karratha civil construction company hopes its new vehicle training simulator will go some way to addressing workforce shortages and training challenges in the region.
Corps Group on Monday unveiled its training facility at Gap Ridge which can simulate operating common construction machinery such as diggers, loaders and excavators.
The simulator was funded through a $150,000 state government grant, which was matched by Corps Group.
Corps managing director Beau Corps said the simulator would free up machinery and reduce training costs and time.
“Instead of trying to find a machine that's free, not busy on a project, you've got a readily available simulator all the time,” he said.
“You are not using diesel, you are not having to find a spare bit of land that you can use, you are not trying to work around other people.
“You don't have to worry about brand new people and machines doing damage or hurting people.
“It will literally step a person through the basics of how to turn the machine on, how to check it, to make sure it is good to start, then goes through every part of the controls and teaches you techniques as you go.”
Among reasons for the simulator is the need to train up new people to operate civil construction machinery in a profession where the average age of participants is climbing.
Corps Group is working with employment providers and will also have the facility available to use by other businesses.
Mr Corps said many local businesses faced the same staff shortages and training challenges as Corps Group.
“We have had discussions initially with the Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation who has long term unemployed people that they are keen to get trained up to be work ready,” he said.
“There is also things like the local high schools, Clontarf, the local TAFEs, they have people interested to come here, and they're going to start pushing people our way as well.
“There's a lot of kids coming through that look to maybe go to work for Woodside or Rio Tinto, but there's other opportunities out there so we want to provide a career partner that's different.”
Corps Group is a private family business founded in Karratha 39 years ago and is currently run by four brothers.
The Group started in earthmoving, and now runs industrial recycling and road seal components as well.
Mr Corps said Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel and the Pilbara Development Commission had proven helpful through the grant process.
