NEWS EDUCATION/CAREER 01 Sep 2017

Komatsu Training Academy

Komatsu Training Academy sees strong customer demand and growth.

KTA-News-Image-(1).jpgSince it was launched at the beginning of 2017, the Komatsu Training Academy, a nationally registered training organisation that provides technical, operator and management courses for Komatsu customers throughout the region, has undergone significant growth.It has delivered a range of accredited training programs, from business management and leadership training, through to accredited programs for working at heights and first aid, to technical training for fitters, operator training as well as customised on-site training to meet customers' specific needs, said Janine Temple, Komatsu Training Academy's National Business Manager.

"Over the past six months, we have delivered over 30 courses, training and upskilling 300 participants," she said.

In June, Komatsu Training Academy (KTA) won a major tender from a leading national civil and mining contractor to deliver all of its apprentice training Australia-wide.

This includes a new intake of eight apprentices beginning their apprenticeships in July, as well as taking over the training of approximately 40 other apprentices at various stages of their trade qualifications.

"We are offering three sets of qualifications as part of the package for this company," said Janine.

The three are AUR30316 Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology, MEM30205 Certificate III in Engineering- Mechanical Trade, and MEM30305 Certificate III in Engineering- Fabrication Trade.

"This is one of the biggest projects we've been awarded to date, and it's a measure of the facilities, resources and professionalism we can offer and our focus on the mining and resources sector," she said.

In addition, KTA has developed a partnership with Halls Head College at Mandurah, South Perth, putting selected senior high school students through a Certificate III course in management.

"The school is passionate about providing learning and employment options for its students, and has partnered with a range of training and further educational providers to deliver the best-possible opportunities for their future careers," said Janine.

"We are delighted with this opportunity to work with Halls Head College, to engage with its students, and give us access to a potential pool of new employees."

KTA is also delivering a large amount of technical accredited industry training.

This includes restricted electrical licences for major contractors and mining companies, as well as customised technical training for fitters with mining and construction industry clients on both the east and west coasts.

"This training can cover anything from an introduction to general servicing, through to in-depth test-and-adjust skills and machine troubleshooting," said Janine.

"So far, it's been a very positive industry response; we are getting lots of support as the word gets out to customers and potential clients, and we are continuing to build and develop our resources.

"Currently we have eight trainers, soon to be 10, working with clients across Australia and New Zealand. We aim to deliver most of our training out of KTEC (Komatsu Technical Education Centre), because of the resources available at that facility, unless it's customised training on clients' sites," she said.

Komatsu Training Academy is headquartered at KTEC in Brisbane, which over the past few years has become the company's primary training centre for operators and technicians in Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia.

It is one of the region's most advanced technical training facilities for mining, earthmoving and utility equipment.

Located on more than 3 hectares of land, KTEC offers more than 2600 sq m of dedicated training facilities, including seven classrooms, seven technical/electrical laboratories and a large machine operator's workshop.

It also incorporates a number of simulators, providing the ability for both novice and experienced operators to safely learn on a range of machines, from construction and utility size up to ultra-class mining equipment.

Equipment-specific courses available through KTA cover a variety of mining, construction and utility machine types, including backhoe/loaders, dozers, crushers, dump trucks, excavators (conventional and hybrid), graders and wheel loaders, as well as general systems and technologies.


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