An Ipswich welding program has taken out a top prize in the 2020 Queensland Training Awards.
The Premier’s Industry Collaboration Award is shared by TAFE Queensland and Rheinmetall Defence Australia for their collaboration ISO 9606 Fusion Welding Program.
The course provided by TAFE Queensland was designed for experienced welders looking to upskill certifying welders to perform fusion (arc) welding procedures to meet the requirement of the international welding standard ISO 9606.
This is the standard required by Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s Redbank Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) for the construction of the Boxer armoured transport vehicle
The partnership between TAFE Queensland and Rheinmetall Defence Australia has built a pathway for experienced welders to master advanced welding techniques using augmented reality welding simulators, purchased with support from Weld Australia and the Queensland Government, as well as through skills exchanges between Germany and Australia.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said that this award is one of the positive outcomes of the region’s strong partnerships between government and industry.
“We congratulate both TAFE Queensland and Rheinmetall Defence Australia on their win and their commitment to enable locals to gain the skills they need and the opportunity to increase the workforce locally.”
“Ipswich is a centre for collaboration in defence and advanced manufacturing, and it is great to see this recognised in the Premier’s award.”
The program provides high-level international-standard training in welding to Ipswich workers while helping to fill a need for highly-skilled employees to make Australia’s newest combat vehicles in Redbank for Rheinmetall Defence Australia.
TAFE Queensland developed the capability of its staff and have delivered more than 20 short courses to more than 100 welders so far across the state.
TAFE Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mary Campbell said the awards recognise significant achievements in vocational education and training.
“We extend our congratulations to these students and our partner Rheinmetall, and all of the award winners, who demonstrate the power of vocational educating, training, and skills,” Mrs Campbell said.
“While COVID-19 has provided unique challenges this year, it has also made us all think differently about our operations and find new, more agile ways of working and delivering training. But above all, the pandemic has proven the importance of VET and highlighted the vital role it plays within industries and communities in Australia,” she said.
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