Simulation research to provide answers for Australian resources industry
Published on 18 May, 2009
An Australian-based world first is ready to help promote simulation as an essential method for training and skilling in the resources industry.
The Mining Industry Skills Centre and CQUniversity officially opened the Australian Simulation Research Office (ASRO) on Friday, May 15.
ASRO will focus on researching issues relating to increasing the availability and use of simulation in the resources industry.
The Office is the first of its kind both nationally and internationally and will revolutionise the industry by increasing simulation training standards and developing initiatives to assist in producing a skilled and safety conscious workforce.
ASRO is located at CQUniversity's Mackay campus, where personnel will work to deliver innovative, integrated responses to developing skilled workers for the resources industry through the use of simulation.
The Mining Industry Skills Centre's CEO, Derek Hunter, believes ASRO is just another step towards producing a strong resources industry with a culture of zero harm.
"The Skills Centre acknowledges simulation as an integral part of training and skilling for the future of the resources industry," said Mr Hunter.
"The development of a Simulation Research Office is imperative for the industry, especially during this economic downturn as simulation is proven to reduce training costs for companies."
CQUniversity Head of Mackay Campus, Dr Trevor Davison, stated the strategic partnership is a great example of how industry and academia can work together.
"The Mining Industry Skills Centre and CQUniversity have different strengths and by pooling them in this way it will enable researchers to push knowledge to new limits in exciting fields like simulation and technology and gain national and international recognition."
"With initiatives such as this, Mackay can quickly become a leading centre of learning and research," Dr Davison said.
The Aviation, Defence and Health sectors have all been using simulation for a number of years as a training tool and been having great success with the skilling and development of their employees.
Dr Trevor Davison at the launch
Over the past few years, the resources industry has seen the incorporation of heavy industry and underground simulators as well as most recently the introduction of serious games-based simulation training tools, most noticeably in The Mining Industry Skills Centre's PROJECT CANARY.
As simulation continues to grow within the industry, ASRO's partnership between the Skills Centre and CQUniversity will significantly oversee this growth by enhancing the identity of simulation, developing new ways of helping students succeed, and developing new research strengths.
The Mining Industry Skills Centre and CQUniversity continued with the development of ASRO despite losing $5 million in federal government funding for a Simulation Research Development and Training Centre in early 2008.
Staff from the current Mackay Office will also be moving over to the ASRO building at CQUniversity where they will be able to continue their work for the Mining Industry Skills Centre.
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* About the Mining Industry Skills Centre
The Mining Industry Skills Centre is a not-for-profit organisation, formed as a collaborative venture between the mining industry and government, to establish a centre of excellence for the development and implementation of training initiatives in the industry.
The Mining Industry Skills Centre's vision is to create a "one stop shop" for both industry and government on all matters relating to training and the development of a sustainable workforce to meet the mining industry's current and future needs.
For more information on the Skills Centre and its projects, visit www.miskillscentre.com.au . You can also join the mailing list for the Skills Centre's quarterly newsletter on the homepage of the website.