Small business welcomes ALP training scheme

CHRIS Channon faces a two-pronged challenge trying to find skilled laboratory technicians to help kickstart projects in WA

Nathan Beswick

CHRIS Channon faces a two-pronged challenge trying to find skilled laboratory technicians to help kickstart mine sites and civil engineering projects across booming Western Australia.

Like many other businesses in the west, Mr Channon's Trilab faces stiff competition from much higher-paying positions in various Pilbara mines.

And the job of conducting highly specialised soil, rock and other testing for the design of mines, bridges and roads remains such a niche market that there are not many qualified or experienced staff.

Although based in Brisbane, Trilab carries out sampling for most of the major mining companies, and last April opened a WA office. It has been flat out since. Mr Channon has just hired eight new staff to be trained to a Certificate 3 in laboratory skills, a Certificate 4 in laboratory techniques or a diploma in laboratory technology. "The way the industry is, there are people there with the basic experience in soil testing," he said.

"But there are not very many that have the experience in the specialised stuff we do."

One of the young recruits is Nathan Beswick, who finished high school last year and recently started his training.

"By the end of the training, I think I'll be level 3 or 4. It means a pay rise and more job opportunities," he said.

Trilab chairman Gavin Hamilton said the company was already benefiting from government part-subsidies for training. He did not mind if Julia Gillard's projects announced yesterday, including access to a government subsidised training places up to Certificate 3, had been flagged before.

"It is still crucial to our business that she does maintain this training scheme, because not just for our business but all small businesses like ourselves -- it's a necessary part of our entire operation," he said.

"We receive assistance with the training. It really helps us.

But West Australian Training Minister Peter Collier was scathing of the announcement, claiming it would replace the system of productivity places based on demand. As a result, WA would lose $75 million, or the equivalent of 8000 places.