Vocational students are training in new trades workshops at South Regional TAFE's (SRT) Albany campus, thanks to the State Government's $22 million investment in modern TAFE facilities in the region.
In a major boost, the new workshops will provide young people and local job seekers in the Great Southern region with access to specialist trades training locally, with student capacity expected to increase by approximately 20 per cent.
The new workshops will be used to deliver training in traditional trades such as light and heavy automotive, metals and engineering, building and construction, and electrical and plumbing.
The project also included relocating and upgrading the existing skills training workshop and establishing a new classroom for essential safety training like working at heights and entering and working in confined spaces. A separate project is being initiated to enable the transformation of an existing structure into a new carpentry and joinery workshop for the precinct.
Albany-based architectural firm H+H Architects designed the project, with local builder Wauters Building Company employing more than 200 workers - including apprentices and trainees - to complete construction.
As part of an initiative of SRT's Reconciliation Action Plan, the new facilities will be named the Kinjarling Trades Workshops, in recognition of the local Noongar name for Albany. The naming aims to increase the understanding, value and recognition of local Aboriginal culture, history, knowledge and rights through culturally-appropriate learning.
The project is part of the State Government's record $250 million investment in TAFE infrastructure to ensure WA TAFE colleges have the state-of-the-art facilities they need to provide high-quality, industry-relevant training to all Western Australians.
This investment is complemented by the State Government's $25 million TAFE Modern Equipment program being rolled out across Western Australia's TAFE network, which has provided two new electric vehicles and one new hybrid vehicle for SRT's Albany campus.
Valued at $152,000, the new electric and hybrid vehicles are examples of the modern, real-world equipment TAFE students train with to develop their skills, enabling them to be 'job-ready' once they complete their qualification.
In addition, SRT's Albany campus has benefited from a total of $1.38 million in equipment through the TAFE Modern Equipment program, including a 3D printer, drone, skid steer loader, on-ground mobile brake tester and industrial process laboratory.
