Automotive and plant technician students at the Bunbury campus of South Regional TAFE have received a boost in learning opportunities thanks to a donation by leading Caterpillar dealer WesTrac.
The donated equipment includes three engines, a dump truck transmission and a diesel engine powered hydraulic powerpack.
The equipment will be used as part of TAFE’s Heavy Automotive and Technician courses, which range from vocational education and training delivered to secondary students (VETdSS) to pre-apprenticeships and full apprenticeships.
WesTrac General Manager People and Culture Tanya Eales said the company placed significant value on helping students learn the skills required to pursue rewarding careers. Tanya said:
“Our organisation relies on people with aptitude and interest in mechanical, automotive and technical trades and we place high importance on enabling learning in these areas.”
“By donating this equipment, we are not only proud to be supporting the next generation of skilled workers in these fields but are also further developing advanced training opportunities in the South West region, which is a key focus given the launch last year of the WesTrac Technology Training Centre in Collie.”
The training centre, which is one of only two in the world, delivers courses focused on autonomous equipment operations for the mining sector.
South Regional TAFE Managing Director Darshi Ganeson said the donated equipment would go a long way to providing targeted vocational training to students. Darshi said:
“We are extremely grateful to WesTrac for the donation, which adds to the widely varied equipment used in the college’s Automotive Centre.”
“It allows our students to access a diverse range of servicing, diagnostic and repair opportunities and assists them to learn about characteristics of equipment from different manufacturers.”
The 785 dump truck transmission will be used for exercises in powershift transmission dismantling and assembly, while the diesel engine powered hydraulic powerpack will be widely used by students to learn hydraulic servicing and technology.
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