WYNDHAM students will find it easier to access school-based apprenticeships and vocational education, with a trades training centre to open in the city.
Construction of the Wyndham Trade Training Centre will begin later this year, with the centre to open in 2014 across four schools.
Geelong’s Gordon TAFE, WynBay Local Learning and Employment Network and the federal government are behind the $9.5 million centre, which will have campuses at The Grange P-12 College, Thomas Carr College, Wyndham Central College and MacKillop Catholic Regional College.
Gordon TAFE chief executive Grant Sutherland said the centre would address skill shortages in traditional trades and emerging industries and increase training opportunities for students. Campuses will be designed to facilitate hands-on training in automotive, bricklaying, furniture making, carpentry, electrotechnology and engineering.
Up 5000 students are expected to train at the centre between 2014 and 2015.
WynBay LLEN chief executive Dallian D’Cruz said there was a great need for the centre, after state government TAFE cuts forced providers including Victoria University to slash course offerings. “This is something that was planned before these cuts but it will add to the provision of skilled young people in Wyndham. It is vital to Wyndham’s continued growth. We need a skilled employment based that employers can tap into.”
Mr Sutherland said the centre would address current and future training needs and help more students achieve year 12 or equivalent qualifications.
