Inspecting a Linatex lined piece of equipment at Ulaanbaatar service centre
Weir Minerals is collaborating with TAFE NSW to upskill its employees with targeted training in rubber lining.
Rubber lining is widely used in the mining, sand and aggregate, and general industries as an economical way to increase the life of plant and equipment.
There hasn’t been any systemic program for training rubber liners available to date in Australia.
“Rubber lining is a highly specialised task that requires experience and proper training,” Weir Minerals quality assurance and training officer Darryl Crawford said.
“The installation of protective coating by untrained applicators can lead to very expensive failures resulting in unplanned downtime for repairs and relining, or even a catastrophic failure of the critical equipment.”
To ensure a steady supply of well-trained rubber liners to the industry, Weir Minerals, manufacturer of rubber compounds such as the industry-leading Linatex rubber, worked with TAFE NSW to customise a traineeship program that focuses on rubber lining skills and knowledge.
TAFE NSW head teacher of industrial painting and blasting Ian Squire said Weir Minerals employees across Australia will undertake training in a Certificate III in Surface Preparation and Coating Application tailored specifically for rubber liners.
“TAFE NSW is proud to work with industry leaders Weir Minerals to deliver crucial training to their rubber liners and fill the skills gaps that exist in the sector,” he said.
“Our TAFE NSW teachers are using their years of experience in the oil and gas, mining and defence industries here in Australia and overseas to work closely with Weir Minerals in contextualising our training delivery and assessments to fit their business needs.
“The course will provide Weir Minerals trainees with in-demand skills such as laying-up rubber lining and lag pulleys, cutting polymer materials, and preparing surfacing for coating.”
The course provides trainees throughout Australia with an informed and structured program, including face-to-face training delivered in each state by the TAFE NSW experienced instructors, online assessments for theory knowledge, and practical assessments in their workplace.
Experienced rubber liners can complete the training within two years, while it will take beginner rubber liners three years to receive their certification.
The training will provide Weir Minerals Australia rubber liners with nationally-recognised skills and certified accreditation.
This course will run in Australia in conjunction with the Weir Minerals global training program to ensure that the consistent high quality of rubber lining is available to the industry.