By Kristy McDonald
TRADES training for students in the West has taken a leap forward with a new centre to be established at Catholic Regional College’s Sydenham campus.
Students will be able to enrol for certificate III courses in hospitality, signwriting, picture framing, printing and baking, with further courses envisaged for the near future.
Sydenham campus principal Brendan Watson said the planning of the trade centre and the $6 million in Federal Government funding secured for its construction, had been a joint effort by the five local CRC campuses and its benefits would be far-reaching.
“We’re rapt and this will change the provision of education in the western suburbs. Every student in the Brimbank area, from government and non-government schools, will be able to access this facility,” Mr Watson said.
The range of trade certificates offered by the centre was developed following analysis of local industry needs, which forecast future shortages of “tradies” in a range of service areas in the western suburbs.
Mr Watson said the operational plans for the new centre would put students in direct contact with the community, allowing them to develop business as well as trade skills.
“Trade training here will include a restaurant, which will be open to the public. Businesses will be able to meet students in the signwriting course and students will have to deliver signs for them. Picture framing will be done on site by students and people will be able to come in and order that service,” he said.
“The VET baking students will also work for an on-site bakery, which will be open one morning per week to the public.
“The students will have to operate these services and they will be able to earn a certificate in retail operations.
“A number of local industries also supported our application (for federal funding) and have already indicated they are willing to offer work experience to students.”
The federal member for Gorton, Brendan O’Connor, congratulated the school on its successful funding application and encouraged other schools to pursue similar projects.
“The Catholic Regional College has received funding in the first phase of the Trade Training Centres in Schools program,” Mr O’Connor said.
“It provides schools with funding to build and upgrade training facilities and purchase industry-standard equipment. It aims to address skill shortages in traditional trades and emerging industries by ensuring Australian students have access to high-quality, relevant education and training opportunities that engage and encourage them to complete their studies.”
Over the 10-year life of the program, every Australian secondary school will have the opportunity to apply for funding of between $500,000 and $1.5 million.
Further information about the program is available at www.tradetrainingcentres.deewr.gov.au.
