The $2 million upgrade to the visual arts building at Central Regional TAFE's Geraldton campus is on track for construction to start in August 2021.
Tenders are now open for the project, which will see the old I Block trades workshop extended and transformed into six learning spaces for creative industries training.
The ageing workshop will be refurbished to include three traditional art studios and three classrooms, where Geraldton's next generation of artists, fashion designers and media specialists will learn the tools of their trade.
Modern amenities for students and lecturers will also take shape as part of the workshop's transformation into a digital media and technologies hub that specialises in new and emerging technologies.
Local architectural firm Eastman Poletti Sherwood Architects were appointed for the design of the project, which forms part of the McGowan Government's WA Recovery Plan.
Currently, the Geraldton campus delivers one of the State's most successful creative industries, visual arts and multimedia training programs, with around 200 students participating in these programs each year.
Construction of the new creative industries training hub will unlock jobs in the Mid-West and, when the new spaces are opened, increased student capacity will have positive flow-on benefits for local small businesses.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"We announced this project as part of our WA Recovery Plan and this Government is on target to deliver a brilliant creative industries training hub for the Mid-West.
"By investing in infrastructure and equipment and cutting fees we are making TAFE better and more accessible for everyone."
As stated by Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton:
"It is fantastic to see a significant refurbishment of the Geraldton TAFE campus, which will increase the number of students participating in these programs.
"It is critical members of our community have access to quality training in a wide range of industries."
