Charles Darwin University has further strengthened its ability to support the Territory’s burgeoning oil and gas industry following a watershed agreement signed late last week.
CDU’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover signed a memorandum of understanding with the Challenger Institute of Technology in Perth that will strengthen CDU’s ability to support the Territory’s emerging industry.
Professor Glover said the memorandum sat above a partnership agreement that paved the way for CDU to deliver a certificate course in process operations that is a vital prerequisite for many workers seeking employment in the oil and gas sector.
The agreement will give CDU students and staff access to substantial resources the Australian Centre for Energy and Process Training (ACEPT) has built up as the premier Australian training provider to the oil and gas industry.
Under the memorandum, CDU will deliver a Certificate II in Process Operations at its Casuarina campus in Darwin. Students in the eight-week course will spend a week in Perth at ACEPT’s full-scale process plant gaining invaluable hands-on experience in a real-life industry environment.
Professor Glover said the memorandum also gave CDU a firm foundation on which to explore other important initiatives with Challenger Institute of Technology.
“I will work with Challenger to assess how we may be able to support them develop pathways to higher education for their students. We have an outstanding Bachelor of Engineering program that could be beneficial for both institutions, students and industry clients.”
Professor Glover said CDU anticipated being able to offer the Certificate II in Process Operations course for the first time by mid-year.