The McGowan Labor Government's significant investment in essential infrastructure upgrades across the State's TAFE colleges is underway, with construction starting on the new training centre at South Metropolitan TAFE's Mandurah campus.
Premier Mark McGowan and Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery visited the college today to turn the first sod on the $16.87 million facility.
The state-of-the-art Hospitality and Tourism Training Centre will deliver practical, on-the-job training in commercial cookery, tourism and event management, providing career pathways for aspiring chefs, event managers, baristas and front-of-house staff.
Hair and beauty training facilities will also be incorporated into the new centre, skilling the next cohort of hairdressers, massage therapists and beauty therapists.
The facilities will include a student hub, two training kitchens, a production kitchen and a live works restaurant, as well as a new hair salon and dedicated training spaces for beauty therapy and massage.
Work is being undertaken by Western Australian commercial builder EMCO Building, with construction expected to be completed in late 2022 and the first students using the facilities in Semester 1, 2023.
The project was announced in July 2020 as part of the WA Recovery Plan, incorporating a record $167.4 million investment to fund upgrades to essential infrastructure across the State's TAFE colleges.
In addition to the McGowan Labor Government's TAFE infrastructure spend, the State is investing heavily into training through the "Lower fees, local skills" initiative, which has slashed course fees for 180 vocational education and training qualifications by up to 72 per cent.
There are more than 78,000 students in vocational education and training courses in Western Australia right now - a 25 per cent increase compared to last year.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"Ensuring industry has access to the skills it needs to support Western Australian jobs is a core focus of my Government.
"We are investing in a range of immediate initiatives to support the State's skills needs - while continuing our strong focus on revitalising the State's TAFEs.
"Our work over the past four and a half years to rebuild local training is bearing fruit, with excellent enrolment numbers putting thousands of Western Australians on the path to fill local jobs."
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"We have made it easier than ever before for Western Australians to gain a qualification.
"The major upgrade to South Metropolitan TAFE's Mandurah campus will give approximately 500 students from the Peel region access to the very best learning environment.
"The new training centre will be a one-stop-shop for simulated training, allowing job-ready workers to step straight into the workforce."
As stated by Mandurah MLA David Templeman:
"What we know is the Mandurah community has a fantastic hospitality scene and having skilled workers is critical to that continuing to grow.
"The new training centre will give people throughout the Peel region and beyond the opportunity to learn in-demand skills that will lead to high quality jobs."
As stated by Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke:
"This $16.87 million training centre will deliver practical on-the-job training, helping local people to become highly skilled workers for our growing hospitality and tourism industry.
"Our Government is committed to local training and local jobs - ensuring plenty of opportunities for our young people to live, train and work in their home community."
As stated by Dawesville MLA Lisa Munday:
"This project is part of the largest TAFE capital works program in WA's history, with 14 projects creating more than 1,000 local jobs - with the Dawesville community set to benefit directly from this investment.
"We are continuing to encourage local people to seek valuable, affordable training opportunities, to help them find good local jobs in a range of industries."
