The McGowan Labor Government's upgrade to the ageing trades workshops at Central Regional TAFE's Northam campus is underway.
Construction is being carried out by Western Australia's AE Hoskins Building Services.
The 30-year-old trades workshops will undergo a $2 million refurbishment, with the current facilities - including metals and construction workshops - to be replaced with contemporary training facilities.
The modernisation will better meet the needs of local industries in the Wheatbelt region by training job-ready students, in particular across the fields of building and construction, metal fabrication and engineering.
Designed by T&Z Architects, the project includes the reconfiguration of existing classrooms to maximise space, an additional classroom, computer laboratory and additional welding bays.
The upgraded workshops will provide industry standard training facilities that are integral to the region's Vocational Education and Training (VET) Delivered to Secondary Students programs, offering pathways into apprenticeships such as agricultural machinery technology and heavy commercial fitting.
Construction is expected to be completed in early 2022 for training to start in Semester 1.
The project is part of the McGowan Government's record $184.3 million investment to fund essential infrastructure upgrades to the State's TAFE network.
The Rebuilding our TAFEs plan includes:
- $184.3 million in capital works projects across WA;
- $25 million for free TAFE short courses to upskill thousands of Western Australians;
- $345.9 million for the Lower Fees, Local Skills program and to freeze all other fees at current rates until the end of the 2025 training year; and
- Up to $11.9 million for the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Re-engagement Incentive.
The McGowan Government has slashed fees for 180 TAFE courses under the Lower Fees, Local Skills initiative.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"The Wheatbelt is a critical part of the Western Australian economy.
"This $2 million upgrade will give students in the region better access to contemporary training facilities, which will ultimately bolster the workforce in the region.
"The McGowan Government is committed to improving training options in regional areas, investing a record amount to upgrade essential infrastructure at TAFE colleges across the State."
As stated by Agricultural Region MLC Darren West:
"It is terrific to see such a big investment in TAFE and training in the Agricultural Region and I thank Minister Ellery for making these upgrades a reality.
"This project will ensure businesses in the Wheatbelt region have access to the skilled workers they need which will keep the region moving forward."
