Prime Minister visits CCF and Civil Train SA

19 May 2011

CCF SA was proud to host the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon Julia Gillard and the Hon Christopher Evans, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations at the Thebarton training facility to open the first of a fleet of Mobile Training Units.
 
The Prime Minister and Senator Evans were interested to learn of the progress of Civil Train SA’s Highway to Skilling the Industry project funded through the Federal Governments Education Investment Fund (EIF). Civil Train SA had previously been awarded the $8.2M grant to support increased training outcomes to meet industry demand now and into the future.
 
During the visit, that attracted a good deal of national media attention, the Prime Minister and Senator Evans spoke with Board Members, Staff and Trainees and gained a greater appreciation of the benefits of having a well trained workforce. The Prime Minister showed excellent eye : hand coordination in driving and operating one of the latest Volvo excavator simulators and managed to complete a tricky exercise to the cheers of those present.
 
The Prime Minister and Senator Evans had the opportunity to view the plans for the Green Star upgrade and renovation of the Thebarton training facility and was impressed with the features that have been incorporated into the design. The upgrade and renovations will ensure that the Thebarton training facility becomes a “Training Centre of Excellence” in the civil construction industry and will be completed by the end of 2011.
 
Following a morning tea with Board Members, Staff and Trainees, the Prime Minister viewed the Mobile Training Unit that has been commissioned to enable Civil Train SA to take the latest training resources and techniques to urban, regional and remote areas. The semi-trailer based Mobile Training Unit houses a Volvo plant simulator, confined space and safe work at heights training areas as well as a Smart Board equipped training room. The Mobile Training Unit is fully equipped to facilitate training across a wide range of training units and the Prime Minister was appreciative of Civil Train SA’s willingness to extend its training options to areas that traditionally miss out on quality training.
 
CCF SA President, Mr Christopher Reynolds, thanked the Prime Minister and Senator Evans for their attendance and contribution to the EIF project. The Prime Minister then ceremoniously cut a ribbon and officially “launched” the first Mobile Training Unit, marking the first stage of the soon to be "World Class Training Facility"
 
Celebrations were concluded with a Press Conference where the Prime Minister expressed her praise and approval with the direction Civil Train SA was taking with training and skilling the industry.