A leading Australian architecture firm will design the Victorian Government's new world-class facility at GOTAFE Shepparton.
Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney today announced Gray Puksand has been appointed to design the $10.7 million project, which will extend the Goulburn Murray Trade Training Centre at the Archer Street campus and create a new car park for more than 40 vehicles.
The new facility will house 560 students in plumbing and electrical trades courses and feature a hand tool area, classrooms, skills bays, break-out spaces and student and staff amenities.
The centre will accommodate growing enrolments at GOTAFE, including in Free TAFE courses, which experienced a 77 per cent increase in its first two years, and a pipeline of skilled workers for the local community.
More than 85 per cent of GOTAFE students in Shepparton reported finding employment after graduating and more than 88 per cent were satisfied with their training.
Construction is expected to start mid-2022 and last about two years, and will create up to 300 local trade jobs. Up to 15 new education jobs will be created when the building opens.
The GOTAFE Archer Street campus works were funded as part of the Building Better TAFEs Fund in the Victorian Budget 2021/22, which includes a total $383.8 million investment in the sector to ensure more Victorians get the training they need for in-demand jobs.
Since 2014, the Government has made a record $3.2 billion investment to rebuild TAFE and support universities and higher education to ensure Victorians have access to high quality education and rewarding career pathways.
As stated by Minster for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney
"The appointment of Gray Puksand to design the GOTAFE extension is an exciting step towards better trades training for jobseekers in Shepparton - and an expanded pipeline of skilled workers for the local community."
"This project is part of our record investment in TAFE and training to ensure jobseekers across Victoria get the best education in world-class facilities."
As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
"It's exciting to see this project progress - it will be a world-class facility for plumbing and electrical trades, allowing locals to get the skills they need for a rewarding job in their community."
As stated by GOTAFE chief executive Travis Heeney
"We are excited that construction will commence soon - the extension of the Archer Street campus will provide more opportunities for students and businesses to train apprentices across the region."
