Tuesday, 22 August 2023
Training Minister Simone McGurk joined our Managing Director Michelle Hoad to officially announce the opening of the new state-of-the-art Dental Training facility at our Leederville campus today.
The modern facilities will support specialist training to meet growing demand for skilled dental support workers. The larger space, almost three times the previous facility, will increase capacity to deliver skilled workers for this essential health industry.
“This impressive new specialist dental training facility is a fantastic asset for North Metropolitan TAFE, Western Australian students and industry.
“Students training at the new facility have access to current materials and modern equipment to develop their skills and knowledge and become more job-ready for work in the industry,” said Minister McGurk at the opening.
The cutting-edge facility will improve access to training and on-site services for dental students and train more ready graduates for the industry.
The new space includes dental assisting practice clinics, laboratories, digital technology, radiography, sterilisation, plaster, burn out casting and storage rooms, and fume cupboard and chemical storage rooms.
The purpose-built facility was designed by architects Carvalho Design Solutions in consultation with A-dec, a world-leading manufacturer of dental equipment, to ensure the latest in dental technology and design.
New technology to the value of $295 000 was funded by the State Government’s $25 million TAFE equipment refresh program including radiography equipment, CAD software licenses, a scanner and 3D printer and imaging unit, computer and ultrasonic bath and cure box.
Skilled dental support workers are in high demand in Western Australia and continued growth is forecast in coming years. Four dental qualifications are delivered from the Leederville campus – the Certificate III and IV in Dental Assisting, Certificate III in Dental Laboratory Assisting and the Diploma of Dental Technology.
From 2024, we will also be offering one-day-a-week courses for secondary students to obtain a Certificate III in Dental Laboratory Assisting.
A range of free and low fee dental qualifications are available at NMTAFE through the State Government’s FREE IN ‘23 program in partnership with the Commonwealth, and the Lower fees, local skills initiative.
Main photograph: (L to R) TrainingMinister Hon. Simone McGurk MLA, students Munashe and Anita, Michelle Hoad, MD NMTAFE and Dental lecturer, Glen Moralee.