Maitland workshop celebrates 20 years of service

Alstom Australia CEO Chris Raine will be joined at the celebration by the NSW Member for Maitland Robyn Parker and Hunter Valley Training Company CEO Robert Fuller.

Over the 20 years of its existence, the Maitland workshop has grown from a local concern to developing an international reputation for excellence. It was started in 1991 to service local power and heavy industrial operations but is now being called on to maintain and construct major national and international power and heavy industry projects.

Along the way, through a partnership with Hunter Valley Training Company (HVTC), more than a 100 local apprentices have been set up with a life-long career as they learned in-demand industrial skills from veterans with up to 50 years experience.

A number of apprentices have gone on to win apprentice of the year awards.

We established this workshop in 1991 for two reasons: to service Australias power, rail and industrial sectors and to provide a stable training environment for Australian apprentices, said Alstom Australia CEO Chris Raine.

It is a reflection of the quality of our Hunter Valley employees, the culture of perfection they maintain and the pride they take in their work that this facility has developed an international reputation for excellence.

The strong partnership between HVTC which itself will celebrate its 30th birthday this year has played a key role in sourcing and invigorating the experience of apprentices at the Alstom Power Service facility.

Every year HVTC supplements Alstoms Maitland workforce, helping train and develop the regular intake of five to 10 apprentices.

"The partnership between the Hunter Valley Training Company and Alstom has provided tremendous benefit for all concerned, said Milton Morris, Chairman, Hunter Valley Training Company.

Many of our young apprentices have gone on to achieve great things and this is in no small part due to the unique set of skills and experiences they have gained through this partnership."

The workshop specialises in maintenance work on heavy rotating equipment, such as steam turbines and generators, which are integral to the operation of Australias power generation and industrial sectors. The workshop contains the largest lathe in the southern hemisphere serviced by two 60-tonne cranes, allowing it to repair massive steam turbines from Australias largest power stations.

Prior to the establishment of the workshop much of this equipment had to be sent overseas, leading to costly down time for Australian industry.

By keeping the skills in Australia we can keep the lights on longer its as simple as that, said Mr Raine.

Alstoms Maitland workshop has delivered on-site intallations, service and maintenance work for power stations across Australia including Eraring, Liddell, Hazelwood, Vales Point and Port Kembla and serviced contracts in Malaysia and Singapore. Its industrial customers include Caltex, Shell, and Incitec.

Details: Maitland Power Services 20th Celebration Event
Where: Cnr Mt Dee Rd and Junction, Telarah,
When: Arrive at 10:45am for 11am start. Thursday, 14 April.
What: 11:00am: Registrations.
11:30am: Speeches
12:00pm: Photo opportunities with anniversary cake followed by light lunch

For further information
Alvin Stone (Primary Communication) Tel. (02) 9212 3888. Mob: 0418 617 366
astone@primary-pr.com

Internet : www.transport.alstom.com, www.alstom.com/australia

About Alstom
Alstom employs 1000 people across Australia and New Zealand in its three sectors of Power Generation, Transmission and Rail Transport. Its Maitland facility is part of a national network of three workshops, and a global network of 23 workshops and engineering centres dedicated to keeping industry running. The company has installed major equipment in 25% of the countrys power stations.
Alstom employs 93,000 people worldwide across its three sectors and is present in 70 countries. The company is the world leader in integrated power plants for the production of electricity and air quality control systems. Alstom has solutions for all energy sources (coal, gas, nuclear, fuel-oil, hydropower, wind) and is a leader in innovative technologies for the protection of the environment (reduction of CO2 emissions, elimination of pollutant emissions). The Group is also developing CO2 capture processes and has integrated this technology in pilot plants in Europe and North America.

About Hunter Valley Training Company
Hunter Valley Training Company employs more than 1,300 apprentices and trainees and operates 12 offices in New South Wales and Queensland in a multitude of trades and vocations. Formed in June 1981, the company has trained more than 18,000 apprentices and trainees in its 30 year history.
It is through strong, effective partnerships with companies like Alstom that it has completion rates of 85%, well above the industry average of 50%. Through its local division, Hunter-V-Tec, the company offers diverse and flexible training to suit the needs of industry. Currently Hunter V-Tec has over 250 students full and part-time attending weekly training at its Maitland Skills Centre.