Supporting the WA mining industry
North Metropolitan TAFE services the WA mining industry, which has created $88 billion in total sales value, from approximately 45% of Australia’s 400 mines.*
As such, the mining sector holds a significant value to the state in terms of employment and economic opportunity. Given the mining industry’s significance to the State’s economy, North Metropolitan TAFE works with industry to ensure the provision of a skilled labour force and with enterprises to assist with workforce development.
In 2017, 46% of the mining sector workforce was vocationally trained. VET qualifications are not just supplying entry-level workers and apprentices into the mining sector, but VET skills sets and advanced qualifications are providing the transformative knowledge and skills for promotion; implementation of new technologies; cross-skilling of experienced workers and the development of leadership and management skills to underpin career progression.
* Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety - Resource statistics > Latest statistics release(opens in a new tab)
Benita Brown - this deadly woman in mining tells her story of how a Diploma of Surface Operations Management at NMTAFE is shaping her career.
Our expertise
Industry 4.0 and global megatrends are transforming our workplaces. We work with the Department of Training and Workforce Development, Industry Training Councils and other peak bodies to identify the evolving new technologies and skills needed to ensure that our curriculum and training strategies keep pace with innovations in the WA mining sector.
Our services include:
- Training needs analysis and workforce development planning
- Nationally recognised qualifications, units or skills sets
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and verification of competencies
- Training delivered in the workplace, onsite or at one of our campuses.
Our facilities
North Metropolitan TAFE is the largest resources trainer in WA, offering the state’s most comprehensive, industry-targeted training.
With qualifications covering drilling operations, mining exploration and resource processing. our specialised facilities cater for surveying, geology, metallurgy, environmental management, induction training and automation, to name a few.
CUT Mine
Our CUT Mine is a unique simulated underground mine which has been used by students in surveying, geological assistant skill sets, mining exploration to gain exposure to a real underground mine environment, prior to site mobilisation.
The CUT Mine has also been used by industry for mine induction training and mines emergency rescue competition.
Mobile Mine
The success of the CUT Mine has led NMTAFE to develop the Mobile Mine. Through augmented reality, visitors will have an unforgettable ‘underground’ experience learning how the latest technology is being used in the mining sector.
Mining Training Centre
This centre uses industry standard equipment and facilities to provide specialised training in mining exploration, mineral processing, geology, and gold assaying.
The centre has a core yard where up and coming field assistants or pit technicians can interpret the rock characteristics of drill core.
It also has a fire assay laboratory where students can learn how to analyse gold or any of the base metals from a mineral sample.
For those interested in careers in exploration or minerals drilling, there is a 4-wheel drive training and maintenance facility.
Green Skills Training Centre
This campus is home to a $17m Green Skills Training Centre which promotes sustainable practices and skills in engineering and construction, building and design, and specialised trades with a focus on renewable energy, biotechnology, water operations and environmental management.
Metals and Engineering
This campus features a specialist metals and engineering centre, built to ensure a focus on new technologies and the integration of these technologies across traditional trade and industry sectors. Students learn high speed, high precision operations in a safe environment on a range of various programmable automated equipment. They’re exposed to up-to-date computer controlled machining technology and they’ll gain skills in industrial robotics and component design using current industry standard computer-aided design.
We are also an industry leader in delivery of fluid power training.
For this job, what course should I do?
Responsibilities
Vehicle skills to work in different industries including the geological and mining industries.
Courses to get you there
What you can do after that
Job titles
- Electronic Instrument trades workers
- Instrumentation technicians.
Responsibilities
Set up, adjustment and tuning of control loops.
Courses to get you there
What you can do after that
Job titles
- Surveying technician
- Spatial Science technician
- GIS technician
- Surveying assistant.
Responsibilities
Perform routine tasks to assist Surveyors and Geologists by transporting, assembling, maintaining and laying out prospecting and surveying equipment, collecting and labelling samples, and collecting and evaluating survey data and preparing maps and plans.
Courses to get you there
What you can do after that
Job titles
- Laboratory technician
- Chemistry technician
- Instrument operator
- Sampler and tester.
Responsibilities
Recording and measurement of results, assisting in collecting and preparing of samples, planning and conducting laboratory/field work, maintaining a laboratory, routine sampling and testing, recording data, and using laboratory computing programs and application software.
Courses to get you there
What you can do after that
Job titles
- Electrical fitter
- Switchgear tradesperson
- Electronic instrument technician
- Industrial measurement and control technician
- Electronic engineering technician.
Responsibilities
Manufacture, fit, assemble, erect, operate, test, fault find, alter, and repair electrical equipment.
Courses to get you there
What you can do after that
Job titles
- Pit or underground technician
- Drilling offsider
- Geological field assistant.
Responsibilities
Collect and analyse geological samples, record information .
Basic vehicle maintenance, mining computing, first aid and mining methods.
Courses to get you there
What you can do after that
Job titles
- Miner
- Mining plant operator
Responsibilities
Foundation work as an operator on sites such as a quarry or an open cut metalliferous mine, undertaking prescribed tasks involving known routines and procedures, and taking some responsibility for the quality of work outcomes.
Courses to get you there
What you can do after that
Job titles
- Driller| Miner
- Production operator
- Drilling plant operator
- Mining plant operator
- Shot firer
Responsibilities
Assemble, position and operate drilling rigs and mining plant, and detonate explosives to extract materials from the earth and demolish structures.
Courses to get you there
What you can do after that
Job titles
- Production manager (Mining)
- Mine manager
- Mine superintendent
- Quarry manager
Responsibilities
Lead and supervise operations involved in the extraction of materials in an open cut mine.
Courses to get you there
Job titles
- Mining support worker
- Process operator (Mineral processing)
- Processing plant attendant (Extractive industries)
- Mineral processing technician
- Process operator (Mineral processing)
Responsibilities
Perform routine tasks in mining and mineral ore treating operations, such as assembling, operating and dismantling mining equipment, taking ore, rock and dust samples, and mixing ore treating chemicals and catalysts.
Courses to get you there
What you can do after that
Job titles
- Boilermaker
- Welder
- Fabricator
- Pressure Welder
- Welder (First Class)
- Sheetmetal Patternmaker
- 1st Class Sheet Metal Worker
Responsibilities
Create and work with metal fabrications, using workshop tools and equipment and various welding techniques.
Courses to get you there
Job titles
- Metal machinist
- Machinist (first class)
- Machinist CNC
- Fitter-Machinist
- Fitter-Welder
- Fitter and turner
- Plant mechanic
Responsibilities
Fit and assemble fabricated metal parts into products, operate machining tools to shape metal stock and castings to fine tolerances, using detailed drawings and specifications.
Courses to get you there
- Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade (Machinist Metal Zi)
- Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade (Fitter and Machinist ZB)
- Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade (Mechanical Fitter ZA)
What you can do after that
Job titles
- Mechanical Engineering draftpersons and technicians
- Civil Engineering draftpersons and technicians
Responsibilities
Assist in mechanical and civil engineering research, design, manufacture, construction, operation and maintenance of machines, manufacturing equipment, mechanical installations and facilities.
Courses to get you there
What you can do after that
What others have to say
By working with NMTAFE, Pilbara Minerals was able to tailor the training program to make it relevant to the specific mineral processes used at the Pilgangoora Lithium-Tantalum Project; ensuring trainees were job ready prior to mobilisation to site.
Dale Henderson
Chief Operating Officer