12 February 2024
The State Government has today announced the launch of $9.9 million program, the College Lecturer Industry Placement (CLIP) Program.
The program connects TAFE lecturers with industry placements to gain first-hand experience of the skills and needs of the sector.
NMTAFE lecturers have completed 178 placements between 2022-23, with more planned for this year. Placements have occurred across a variety of industries and workplaces including Rio Tinto, City of Joondalup, Brightwater, Foyer Oxford, various education and child care centres, leading WA design studios and many more.
Minister for Training and Workforce Development, Simone McGurk launched the program at Rio Tinto’s Operations Centre this morning along with NMTAFE Managing Director, Michelle Hoad and General Manager Training Services, Darren Channell.
Minister McGurk said industry placements for lecturers ensures that TAFE students continue to access quality training with strong links and relevance to industry.
“Industry-relevant training and hands-on experiences help to ensure students receive the best possible preparation for the workplace and future careers in the industry,” she said.
Minister McGurk was joined by two of our lecturers who completed placements at Rio Tinto in 2023, where they gained insights into the company’s autonomous operations.
NMTAFE mining lecturer, Monique Taaffe delivers the Certificate II in Autonomous Workplace Operations as a VET Delivered to Secondary Students program.
Monique said her placement broadened her understanding of how automation is embedded across Rio Tinto, and fostered industry connections that will benefit her students.
“I gained exposure to extensive areas of the business which gave me a better understanding of the mining industry supply chain,” said Ms Taaffe.
“I also made new industry connections which may facilitate site excursions for students this year.”
Adrian Fallon, an NMTAFE electrical instrumentation lecturer, says his work placement at two of Rio Tinto’s Operation Centres gave him an insight into how the remote operations team relates to the first responders on site.
“I was keen to identify how our course training documents related to current industry policies and procedures, particularly in relation to safety, troubleshooting and process optimisation,” said Mr Fallon.
“I’m looking forward to sharing my learnings with my students who are all first responders on site.”
The program prioritises placements in industries experiencing rapid or complex changes such as new technologies and changing work practices, skills shortage areas, and industries with significant growth or opportunities for economic diversification.
With the use of digital technologies increasing, lecturers can experience the latest advancements, technologies, methods, systems and practices operating within real-life industry settings.
Lecturers bring the skills they have learnt back to their classrooms, sharing their relevant industry experience and knowledge with their students.
Choose to Be More, see our diverse range of courses available to study in 2024.
Photos:
1. North Metropolitan TAFE Managing Director Michelle Hoad and staff Darren Channell, Adrian Fallon and Monique Taaffe
2. North Metropolitan TAFE lecturer Monique Taaffe and Minister McGurk