WA govt flags $6.3m Collie facility

The state government is aiming to open a $6.3 million training facility at the South Regional TAFE in Collie by 2025, to mitigate the impact from the impending closure of coal-fired power stations.

A training facility to be added to the existing Collie TAFE campus is part of the state government’s $662 million Collie transition package.

The transition package aims to diversify the local economy and create new jobs for workers affected by the shut down of state-owned coal-fired power stations.

Synergy-operated power stations Muja and Collie are expected to close in 2029 and 2027, respectively.

Planning for the project is under way for construction and fit-out to occur in 2024 and facilities to open the year after, the state government said today.

The government has earmarked the Forest Products Commission building at 20 Throssell Street to deliver training in skills, including forklift operations, crane ticketing, tourism, laboratory skills, and renewable energy.

"This new training facility will provide a range of practical programs to assist local workers to take advantage of industries and opportunities coming to Collie,” Premier Roger Cook said.

Training Minister Simone McGurk said the training at the new South Regional TAFE facility would be developed in collaboration with local industry.

"South Regional TAFE is working closely with local industry to develop relevant courses and recruit qualified teaching staff to meet future training demand,” she said.

"We're excited to see local opportunities in emerging industries coming to Collie and bringing high quality jobs to the region."

Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns said it was critical that local workers had the training needed to access job opportunities.

"By refurbishing this building, Collie will have a long-term community asset and local workers will have the support and training needed to support transition into new careers,” she said.

The state government said the funding was additional to the $243.3 million package to upgrade TAFE facilities across Western Australia.

In June last year, then-premier Mark McGowan announced the state goverment would allocate billions towards boosting WA's renewable energy capacity.

Around $3.8 billion will be poured into developing a new 'green power' infrastructure in the South West Interconnected System.