The expansion is part of the McGowan Government's $215.84 million investment in TAFE capital works project, which aims to deliver state-of-the-art learning opportunities for students in agriculture and boost the Western Australian economy by generating jobs.
The first stage of the project was to provide an $800,000 industry standard shearing shed, which is crucial to Muresk's role as a working farm and agricultural training provider.
The six-stand shearing shed includes sloped catching pens, a saw tooth raised board design to increase student viewing accessibility, as well as sloped let out chutes, LED lighting, ventilation, slide/swing gates and an abundant amount of floor space for wool storage and training purposes.
The second stage will expand Muresk Institute's facilities to include a new specialist Agricultural Machinery Training Centre, providing new workshops, classrooms, information technology laboratories and student facilities.
Muresk and Central Regional TAFE (CRT) have worked closely with industry in the development of the Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology apprenticeship, with first year training taking place this year at the CRT Northam campus, before moving to the new Muresk facilities from 2023.
Regional WA company, CBSC Yurra, constructed the new shearing shed, with the outside yards designed by Atlex and shearing shed yards from Proway. About 100 workers will be employed throughout the project at Muresk Institute, including apprentices and trainees.
Education and Training Minister, Sue Ellery, visited Muresk Institute this week, welcoming the start of construction for the Agriculture Machinery Training Centre and visitng the nearly-completed shearing shed.
Minister Ellery said: "Muresk Institute has been the home of agricultural training in Western Australia for almost 100 years, and this expansion will help to ensure that Muresk can continue to serve that purpose for a long time to come.
"It will continue to provide a pipeline of skilled workers for Western Australia's agricultural industry and maximise efficient and effective farming practices in order to stay competitive internationally," she said.
"The new agricultural training facilities have been designed following extensive industry consultation to ensure they meet industry standards and students are ready to start work in the agricultural sector."