New $20.5 million trades workshops at South Regional TAFE’s Albany campus are taking shape, with the project’s design finalised and tender advertised for its construction.
The state-of-the-art workshops will replace the campus’ existing 50-year-old trade facilities and be used to deliver training in metals and engineering, automotive, building and construction, and carpentry and joinery trades.
The McGowan Government’s investment in specialist trades training in the Great Southern will ensure young people and jobseekers in the region have access to world-class training opportunities to meet the workforce needs of local industry.
Once completed, the modern facilities will provide students – including apprentices – with relevant and contemporary knowledge and skills in facilities that reflect real-life working environments.
The project was announced in July 2020 as part of the WA Recovery Plan, incorporating a record $215.8 million investment to fund upgrades to essential infrastructure across the State’s five TAFE colleges.
Construction is expected to start later this year and be completed mid-2024.
The schematic designs were developed by Great Southern architectural firm H+H Architects, which is headquartered in Albany with offices in Kalgoorlie and Bunbury.
H+H Architects has worked on several major educational projects in the region, including the UWA Science Building in Albany, Great Southern Grammar and Albany Residential College.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
“This is a significant investment in world-class trades training that will deliver huge benefits to students and industry in the Great Southern region.
“Albany’s new trades workshops will be used to deliver industry-relevant training and produce job-ready workers in traditional trades, including for the in-demand automotive and building and construction industries.
“As part of our work to revitalise WA’s training sector, the McGowan Government is investing in projects that will help get local people into long-term jobs and support the workforce needs of industries to help keep our State and economy strong.”
As stated by Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens:
“This project is part of the McGowan Government’s work to build a strong future for Albany and ensure local young people taking up trades can get the quality training they need to have a bright future in the workforce
“The replacement of Albany TAFE’s ageing trade training facilities will be welcomed by many, so I look forward to the completion of the new workshops and seeing them welcome their first students.”
