The Malinauskas Labor Government will build one of its five new technical colleges in Mount Gambier and the new building will be co-located with the TAFE campus and the University of South Australia campus.
The 2022-23 State Budget includes an investment of $35 million for the construction of the new technical college and $4 million to cover its operational expenses.
It is part of the new government’s investment of more than $130 million in the Limestone Coast.
A further three technical colleges will be built in metropolitan Adelaide and the other in Port Augusta, as part of a $208.8 million investment into training for young people.
The technical colleges will cater for students from years 10 to 12 and will be run in
conjunction with nearby high schools to allow students to complete their SACE while also getting trade qualifications.
The programs at the technical colleges will be fully integrated with vocational education and training (VET), apprenticeships and traineeships, and SACE.
There is also a further $5 million in the Budget for 2023-24 to upgrade facilities and equipment to further increase the enrolment and retention of students and apprenticeships in trade courses at the Mt Gambier TAFE, where there is industry-identified staff shortages in the surrounding regions.
Quotes
Attributable to Peter Malinauskas
Co-locating our new technical college at the Mt Gambier TAFE campus and the UniSA campus provides an opportunity to commence industry engagement with the broader region to ensure the training matches local skills needs and students can access local employment opportunities.
There is incredible potential for economic growth in Mount Gambier and the Limestone Coast more broadly, which is why we are investing more than $130 million to support the region.
Attributable to Blair Boyer
The establishment of a technical college in the Limestone Coast region provides the opportunity to further enhance the learning pathway offerings for key cohorts, including students at risk of disengaging.
The co-location with TAFE SA and UniSA provides students with links to further education opportunities as well as employment.
We are very pleased that this initiative delivers on the government’s election commitment.
