Vocational education and training outfit Polytechnic West, formerly Swan TAFE, officially launched its commercial training branch this week, targeting the commercial sector with its industry specific training facility Platinum.
Vocational education and training outfit Polytechnic West, formerly Swan TAFE, officially launched its commercial training branch this week, targeting the commercial sector with its industry specific training facility Platinum.
Platinum has been operating since January 2010 and has already serviced 250 businesses with training specifically developed by Platinum staff and delivered by Polytechnic West’s lecturing body.
Polytechnic West chief executive Wayne Collyer told WA Business News the commercial arm of the business was set up in response to industry demands for flexible and responsive training programs in order to meet the growing demands for skilled workers.
“As we continue to grow in the skills environment we are going into now, there is significant request from industry for customised, highly focused training programs to suit their business,” he said.
“When people are dealing with Platinum, they are getting first class customer service, they’re getting highly refined training products and they have the backing of Polytechnic West resources. We are utilising that resource to respond to industry needs.”
He said Platinum would develop specific training modules and programs based on the requirements outlined by businesses.
“It might be that industry wants something specific in mechanical engineering designed for them and for their business, that is where Platinum comes in; responding to those emerging needs of industry,” he said.
Courses will range from up-skilling type master class programs and certificates to associate degree programs.
The cost of the programs will be associated with the number of people being trained and the level of complexity in delivering the course.
“You find out what the environment and mix the industry wants and the cost is worked out from there,” Mr Collyer said.
He said Platinum has grown a large client base in a short time due to the connections through Polytechnic West and Platinum’s popularity stemmed from the reputation Polytechnic West has for delivering job ready graduates.
“As we have been developing Platinum we have also had our delivery areas (meaning Polytechnic West) out speaking with industry. The one thing Polytechnic does is have a very strong relationship with its partners,” Mr Collyer said.
Mr Collyer hopes the commercial arm of Polytechnic West to respond to the impending skills shortage in WA.
The types of industries getting involved with Platinum have been varied including hospitality, building and construction, engineering, transport and aviation while the number of areas for training on offer is just as broad.
“We deliver in excess of 380 qualifications, so we have a broad scope of high level technology and expertise across those qualifications,” Mr Collyer said.
