A total of $229.2 million has been allocated to the Rebuilding our TAFEs program — the biggest capital works program in the sector’s history.
The program, part of the $5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan, includes a record $167.4 million allocation to projects to upgrade essential infrastructure across the five TAFE colleges.
Minister for Education and Training, Sue Ellery said the upgrades would create world-class learning opportunities for students.
“Two North Metropolitan TAFE campuses will receive significant upgrades as part of the program,” Ms Ellery said.
“The ageing Balga campus is set to receive a major upgrade, with $32 million allocated to overhaul the campus that was originally constructed in the 1970s.”
She said a new multistorey building would replace 22 transportable classrooms to provide training in building and construction, community services and general education.
“Construction of a new trade training workshop and associated technology laboratories for light automotive training is also planned for the Kendrew Crescent campus in Joondalup, with $17.6 million budgeted,” Ms Ellery said.
“South Metropolitan TAFE’s Armadale campus, split over temporary buildings in various locations, will be replaced, with $22.6 million earmarked for construction of a new consolidated state-of-the-art campus.”
She said the program would revitalise the training sector and ensure a steady supply of skilled workers as the economy recovered.
“We have consulted with all sections of the community to help shape the path to recovery and it is obvious the training sector is critical to our success,” the Minister said.
