Multi-million dollar agricultural training expansion opens at Muresk
Skilling workers for WA’s vital agriculture industry.
Date published:
23 September 2023
A new specialist training facility is the centrepiece of a $10.3 million expansion delivered by the Cook Government at the historical Muresk Institute in Northam. The $9.5 million specialist Agriculture Machinery Training Centre was officially opened today by Premier Roger Cook, Training Minister Simone McGurk and Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis, marking a new era of training at the facility.
Find out more about the AMTC here
For almost a century, Muresk Institute has been the home of agricultural training in Western Australia. It is located in the Wheatbelt on a working farm, ensuring industry-driven education and training opportunities are available to meet demand for skilled workers. The Agriculture Machinery Training Centre modernises and expands Muresk Institute's facilities.
Apprentices completing a Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology through Central Regional TAFE are to be the first to train in the new workshops, classrooms and information technology laboratories. Muresk and Central Regional TAFE worked closely with industry in developing the apprenticeship to help meet demand for skilled technicians and mechanics. Once trained, qualified technicians will service all types of agricultural machinery across WA's broadacre farming industry, with trade skills for mechanical, electrical, hydraulic operations, precision equipment and braking systems.
A new $800,000 industry-standard shearing shed was also recently completed at the Muresk Institute, providing students with high-quality training in wool handling and shearing. The State Government has also delivered two state-of-the-art combine harvester simulators and a range of other agricultural machinery options, offering a realistic farm experience in a training environment.
Regional WA commercial builder ACorp Construction Pty Ltd carried out the majority of construction, while another regional WA company, GBSC Yurra, built the new shearing shed.
Premier Roger Cook said, “The agriculture industry, along with the industries that support it, are vital to our State. This is a great example of government working together with industry to help meet the demand for skilled workers. My Government is committed to ensuring training is accessible to all Western Australians, including those in regional areas. The agricultural machinery training facility will provide a world-class learning environment for students.”
Training Minister Simone McGurk added, “For almost a century, Muresk Institute has been synonymous with agricultural training in Western Australia, and that is set to continue with this upgrade. The new facilities have been designed following extensive industry consultation, ensuring students will be job-ready once their training is complete. These state-of-the-art facilities and modern machinery and equipment are the culmination of a wonderful partnership between the agricultural machinery industry, Central Regional TAFE and Muresk Institute.”
