Australia's first sustainable Vocational Education and Training campus which is a fourth TAFE Queensland campus on the Gold Coast is now open and welcoming students.
Officially opening TAFE Queensland's Robina campus today, Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the campus was designed from the ground up to be sustainable in building, fit-out, procurement, curriculum, operations and culture.
"Not only is the door open to a world of training opportunities and job prospects here at Robina, but students have the opportunity to learn in a facility that has been recognised on the world stage," Minister Farmer said.
"TAFE Queensland's commitment to sustainability was recently recognised globally, with the campus awarded silver in the Construction category at the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics 2022 Awards of Excellence – what a fantastic achievement."
Modern design and construction practices have been used throughout the building's construction and fit out to meet sustainability ambitions and reduce greenhouse emissions through 250 solar panels, recycled materials and ecological finishes, sensor activated lighting, solar glass and rainwater-fed automated irrigation system.
Minister Farmer said the Palaszczuk Government provided $10 million towards the fit-out costs of the campus as part of the Equipping TAFE for our Future program, to meet the needs of the fast-growing region.
"It is predicted that each year more than 2,000 students will study commercial cookery, hospitality, early childhood education and care, information technology, hair and beauty, sport and fitness, and more, in the new campus," Minister Farmer said.
"The first cohort are due to graduate in 2023 and will help grow the Queensland workforce in critical industries."
Gold Coast-based Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the new campus would accommodate the spike in TAFE enrolments in Australia's sixth-largest city.
"TAFE is easily one of the top options for young Gold Coasters and Gold Coasters in general who want to gain valuable skills and a good job," Minister Scanlon said.
"We've seen TAFE on the Gold Coast boom, with an increase of more than 24 per cent in student enrolments last financial year.
"It's another notch in the belt for the Palaszczuk Government's investment in TAFE for our city, like the $30 million to improve trades training at Ashmore and the $11 million Coomera Marine Training Centre."
Audrey Sebban is very excited to learn at the Robina campus after recently deciding to upskill to the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care to pursue her career goal of being a Lead Educator and eventually a Centre Manager.
"I chose to return to TAFE Queensland because the teachers were really great and I love the way they teach at TAFE, it is very hands on," Ms Sebban said.
"I think it is important that the childcare industry use more sustainable products as we are the role model for the children in our care. If they see us doing it, and if we teach them what and how to do it in a fun way, they will love to do it. And they might even reproduce it at home."
23 year old Errin Heilig Greaves is adding a Diploma of Event Management to her Diploma of Hospitality to make her twice as useful to employers.
"My manager noticed I had a talent for events and styling and said that I should consider a career change," Ms Heilig Greaves said.
"I thrive in organising and talking to people so I decided to study the Diploma of Event Management with the goal of one day having my own company and I think TAFE will help me get there."
"The new Robina campus is amazing, and I can't wait to train in the live event space which works in respect for the environment and conducts business with a positive impact on people and society."
Minister Farmer said skills and training remains one of the highest priorities for the Queensland Government with more than $1.2 billion invested in the 2022-23 State Budget.
"Every dollar we invest in skills and training for Queenslanders pays dual dividends – it enriches the lives and employment prospects of students, and it fuels the state's economy through a highly trained workforce," Minister Farmer said.
"We will keep investing because it is important that our future workforce is training in state-of-the-art facilities, like this one here at Robina, that offer modern learning experiences, community connections and ensure they are job-ready."
"With almost 84 per cent of TAFE graduates employed or going to further study, it is great news for local industry and small businesses with more skilled workers joining the workforce and supporting the community."
