New training facilities opened at Ballina TAFE
The new facilities opened today at the North Coast Institute Ballina campus will improve vocational education and training for students of the NSW Far North Coast, Federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin said.
The Australian Government provided $3.28 million towards the project to build new purpose-built facilities for general education, maritime, retail, welfare and computing training.
The NSW Government contributed more than $696,600 to the project.
The facilities were opened today on behalf of the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator Chris Evans.
Ms Saffin said the project will offer students access to industry-standard equipment and facilities.
“These facilities give our students the great advantage of training with equipment that is being used by industry now,” she said.
“Students who complete training here will enter the workforce with invaluable experience.
“The Government is committed to investing in infrastructure that improves vocational education and training to ensure Australia has the skills base we need for the future growth of our economy.”
The $3.28 million grant for the new facilities was provided under the Australian Government’s National Training Infrastructure Program which funds the purchase, construction, fit-out or refurbishment of facilities for vocational education and training.
The Government’s investment in vocational education includes $2.5 billion to establish Trades Training Centres in schools across Australia, and more than a billion dollars per year in apprenticeship incentives.
The Government announced the Teaching and Learning Capital Fund for Vocational Education and Training in December 2008. This fund is investing $500 million into the vocational sector for capital infrastructure works and purchases. All projects that received funding will be completed by June 2011.
Ballina MP Don Page also welcomed the official opening of Stage 3 at the Ballina campus.
Mr Page said Ballina TAFE Stage 3 commenced in June 2009. The project included replacement of general purpose classrooms, computer rooms, teacher accommodation, construction of a new maritime workshop, covered walkways, as well as the refurbishment of student services offices, a new board room and Campus Manager Office.
The project was jointly funded by the State and Federal governments. It was managed by TAFE NSW, the NSW Department of Education and Training, the NSW Department of Commerce and the project contractors Bennett Industries.
“Ballina TAFE provides vocational training in general education, information technology, business, retail and welfare. It is also a specialist centre for maritime and nursing programs,” Mr Page said.
“These extensions to Ballina TAFE provide increased opportunities for local people to access a variety of training and skills development which in turn makes them more employable.
“Established in the late 1980s, Ballina TAFE has become a significant campus in its own right.
“These $4million extensions provide extra opportunities for local people to increase their skills and get jobs.”
Mr Page commended retiring Ballina TAFE Campus Manager Judy Leahy, who has managed the campus for the past seven years and overseen a big expansion of the Ballina TAFE campus.
“Judy has given over 20 years to TAFE and we have been very fortunate to have her in Ballina these past seven years,” he said.
