The South Australian Government has awarded the contract to construct the new $38.3 million Mining and Engineering Centre at TAFE SA to Hansen and Yuncken.

State Employment and Higher Education Minister, Grace Portolesi, said that the facility was a crucial step in meeting the training needs of the 25,000 new workers that are projected to be required by the mining, engineering and allied industries over the next five years.

“This will be a centre for training excellence in Australia, using state of the art facilities to support training and skill improvement in the mining, engineering, advanced manufacturing, transport and defence industries,” Ms Portolesi said.

“This new facility will bring these students together in one location, integrating a number of programs and training courses and making it easier for students to complete their programs from the one campus.

“The centre is part of the long-term vision for the State to ensure we have the skilled workforce to meet the needs of a high growth, high skill economy that is competitive in the global marketplace.

“Mining and advanced manufacturing are very important components of that vision.”

Programs that will be offered at the Centre include:

  • Heavy Vehicle Transport and Diesel Mechanics;
  • Geo Science and Mining;
  • Mechanical and Civil Engineering;
  • Surveying and Spatial Information Services;
  • Welding and Fabrication; and
  • Automotive and Light Vehicle Transport.