Premier Mark McGowan has inspected progress on the groundbreaking WesTrac Technology Training Centre in Collie, which is nearing completion.
The facility, the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, will deliver training courses to technicians and operators of autonomous equipment, with an initial focus on Caterpillar haulage vehicles.
The Premier visited the site with Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan and Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray as part of the WA Government Cabinet’s visit to Collie.
The Premier also witnessed a Caterpillar 789D haul truck operating in autonomous mode, after the first training runs were completed at the site.
The WA is contributing $2.7 million to help establish the facility, which is expected to be complete by the end of next month.
The grant is the latest investment in the WA Government’s $20 million Collie Futures Fund, aimed at diversifying Collie’s economy and creating jobs.
The facility will put Collie at the forefront of training workers, including Collie locals, in new technological skills for large-scale mining operations.
It is expected to train about 200 students in its first year, increasing to 320 students in its third year.
Source: WA Government