The West Australian Government has opened a new mining and engineering fluid power training facility.
Earlier this week training and workforce development minister Murray Cowper opened the Polytechnic West Fluid Power Institute.
According to Cowper the high demand for more skilled workers from the mining industry has led to the creation of the training centre.
“For example, within our iron ore industry, it is the backbone of the equipment that digs holes, transports materials, loads ships, crushes ore and operates bull dozers," Cowper stated.
“Almost any piece of equipment used in producing or handling the ore will use fluid power.
“This new institute puts WA at the forefront of the national fluid power field.”
The facility will house two pneumatic laboratories, hydraulics and pneumatic workshop and classrooms, as well as a mobile facility to provide onsite hydraulics training throughout the state.
Cowper stated that creating an innovative training sector is crucial in meeting the state's current demand for workers.
The fluid power training centre was launched as part of national skills week.