QLD Mining and Energy Bulletin
Issue link: http://ebook.aprs.com.au/i/50246
Wide Bay Institute of TAFE resourcing the future The recent mining summit held at the Gold Coast identified the Wide Bay/Burnett region in Queensland as a significant source for labour to meet the emerging skill shortages in the resources sector. Opportunities now exist to skill up this potential labour force to address critical skills shortages being experienced in the mining and energy boom. region, has built a solid reputation as a preferred training provider producing highly skilled industry professionals. This has been achieved by building industry focused partnerships and providing flexibility to meet specific training needs. W Wide Bay Institute of TAFE offers targeted trade training, be it a full qualification or industry identified skills set ranging from Certificate II through to Certificate IV level programs in electrical, fabrication, engineering and automotive trades. The Institute prides itself on its highly qualified, industry-current trainers and assessors to assist industry with their emerging training needs and workforce development training solutions. The Institute aligns professional support services to vocational training areas to maximise quality outcomes such as higher completion rates for apprentices and trainees and improved literacy and numeracy skills for entry-level candidates. Clients of the Institute receive practical education and training from industry professionals who are highly qualified in their vocational area and are providing programs that can be tailored for delivery via a range of different delivery modes. Flexible and innovative services offered include: • Face-to-face delivery • External distance learning • Online learning • Video conferencing • Seminars and workshops • On-site / workplace training • Multi-mode / blended delivery • Recognition of prior learning The Institute's aim is to ensure the total training experience is professional, timely, and responsive, consistently of a high standard and reflects an understanding of individual student needs so that employers gain well- trained competent people at all levels. 38 QLD Mining and Energy Bulletin Summer 2011/12 ide Bay Institute of TAFE, as the largest public provider of Vocational Education and Training in this Wide Bay Institute of TAFE is ideally geographically positioned to major resource sector projects in Queensland with campuses located at Gympie, Maryborough, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg. The Institute is registered to deliver over 300 courses and enrolls around 12,000 students each year who are preparing for the workforce or university. All of the Institute's training programs are delivered in accordance with the Australian Quality Training Framework and are recognised Australia-wide. As part of the TAFE Queensland network, the Institute is able to draw upon the vast experience and resources of Queensland's largest and longest established public training organisation. Wide Bay Institute of TAFE's innovative approach to e-learning has seen the development of the theory component of the certified welding units of competencies as an online product enabling geographically challenged workers in remote locations the opportunity to receive ongoing learning and to minimise downtime from the workplace. This online product allows participants of the program to learn and absorb new concepts at their own pace whilst offering 24/7 accessibility and communication with the trainer and assessor via phone, email, chat rooms and social media networks. With the current economic focus on the Queensland resources industry and with unemployment within this sector being in a negative, the opportunity to look within the Wide Bay region to bridge the gaps for a potential workforce is endless. Wide Bay Institute of TAFE recognises that many occupations and skills are in critical short supply, and commits to work with employers in the mining industry to identify current skilling issues and develop definitive strategies to ensure the timely development for a highly skilled and sustainable workforce into the future. Please contact the Training Solutions team at Wide Bay Institute of TAFE and talk to the Institute's friendly Training Consultants on 07 4120 2497. Visit the Wide Bay Institute of TAFE's website at www.widebay.tafe.qld.gov.au for further information. EDUCATION AND TRAINING: ADDRESSING SKILL SHORTAGES