$2.8 million new facilities for Wauchope Campus
Tuesday 30th October 2007
The Honourable Kayee Griffin, MLC representing the NSW Minister for Education and Training, John Della Bosca today officially opened a new $2.8 million facility at TAFE NSW - North Coast Institute, Wauchope Campus.
According to Ms Griffin, the new facilities will help meet the needs of the rapidly growing region.
“This major upgrade will meet the needs of increased campus enrolments which have risen by over 100 per cent in the last 10 years,” said Ms Griffin.
“The upgrade will include new Horticulture training centre, teaching facilities for Information Technology, Learner Support and General Education programs, as well as a covered walkway and storage facilities.
The new horticulture training centre includes:
- A combined horticulture science laboratory
- Preparation room
- Horticulture workshop
- Cool room
- Covered outdoor work areas
- Lecture and seminar rooms
- Staff offices
- Toilets
- Machinery shed
- Additional parking
- Greenhouse and Igloo
- Learner support centre
- Computer room
- Water recycling system
“The new facilities will provide a modern training environment for more than 170 students accessing it, as well as creating 25 new student places.
“The upgrade is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to addressing skill shortages in the Construction, Horticultural and Information Technology industries.
“Since 2003, student enrolments in Information Technology at Wauchope Campus have doubled with enrolments in Horticulture nearly tripling over the past 10 years.
“Enrolments in Building Services have increased 10 fold since 1996, indicating the Iemma Government has achieved in attracting students into careers in these skill shortage areas.
“This is one of 130 major TAFE upgrades completed this year, with the Iemma Government providing more than $121.9 million this financial year to upgrade and maintain TAFE facilities.
“The Iemma Government has again provided record funding for education and training in NSW, investing $11.2 billion this year. Since coming to office, Labor has nearly doubled total education spending and more than tripled spending on maintenance.
“By investing heavily in training facilities we ensure students have access to the most up-to-date equipment.
“This ensures students receive industry specific training, making them more work-ready on graduation, while our local community benefits from having a highly skilled and talented workforce,” she concluded.
The project was jointly funded by the NSW Government and the Australian Government.
