Esperance locals will benefit from state-of-the-art training facilities with construction set to commence on South Regional TAFE's new $18.34 million Esperance campus.
Strategically located on land adjacent to the secondary school oval, the new campus will provide local secondary school students with easy access to vocational education and training (VET) programs as part of their education.
The project will also support the local building and construction industry to maintain a skilled workforce and give greater certainty during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is anticipated construction of the new campus will start in June and is expected to open to students in Semester 1, 2022. Students will relocate from the current campus on Pink Lake Road to the new campus once it opens.
The new buildings will include three trade workshops for training in construction, metal engineering and auto/machinery industries and specialist facilities for childcare, institutional and home care for NDIS and aged care training.
Tjaltjraak, a local Aboriginal organisation, has been consulted throughout the design process and has been instrumental in identifying training needs, areas of cultural significance, landscape design and will also be involved in providing the public art.
Under the Western Australian Industry Participation Strategy (WAIPS), EMCO Building will generate local economic benefits and opportunities for local industry, plus job opportunities including apprenticeships and traineeships.
The State Government will closely monitor the number of regional contractors employed through the construction phase and EMCO Building's WAIPS commitment to ensure local benefit.
A number of measures have already been implemented to maximise local business participation including requiring the shortlisted tenderers to advertise packages of work via local media and the Chamber of Commerce, and offering incentives to tenderers that engage Aboriginal businesses or employ Aboriginal people.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"The opportunities created by the construction of the new $18.34 million Esperance campus will be vital to the local workforce and will support the region's recovery post the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Not only will the project create local jobs and boost the economy, it delivers on our commitment to invest in quality infrastructure to support training delivery throughout Western Australia.
"The modern facility will increase the scope of training offered in Esperance, providing a wider range of high quality training opportunities and encourage people back into VET.
"We know getting young people and career changers into training will be essential to meeting the demand for skills post-COVID-19."
As stated by Member for Agricultural Region Darren West MLC:
"The Esperance community has been waiting for these upgrades for many years and I am delighted that Minister Ellery is getting the job done.
"The McGowan Government is proudly rebuilding TAFE to provide valuable training and retraining to help locals attain the skills they may require in the modern workplace.
"Local jobs are our number one priority and I look forward to local businesses and workers involved from this project."
