Engineering apprentices at Kurri TAFE are reaping the benefits after Komatsu Australia donated a WB97R Back Hoe for use in Hunter TAFE’s Apprentice Development program.
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The earth moving machine is one of five that Komatsu has donated across NSW and it will now be fully restored by the apprentices as part of their training.
Komatsu’s national technical development manager, Paul Richardson, said that the machines were all damaged in the 2011 Queensland floods and through their restoration, they will provide apprentices with the opportunity to gain vital skills.
“Our relationship with Kurri TAFE is very important,” he said.
“We have more than 40 apprentices here and Kurri is considered our main training centre for engineers.”
The apprentice program between Kurri TAFE and Komatsu was first piloted in 2009 and later expanded into a tailored program covering workplace preparation, frontline management training, employee skills upgrades and resource development.
Hunter TAFE’s Faculty Director Rob Wolter said that the machines will be a welcome addition to the program and all the plant and heavy vehicle apprentices will be able to access the machine.
