$3,600,000 to boost trades training for students in the Mid West

Monday, 19 December 2011

Students in the Mid West who want to get into a trade will benefit from up to $3,600,000 Australian Government investment in a trades training centre at the WA College of Agriculture in Morawa.

Funding has been provided to establish the Morawa Regional Trade Training Centre. The Trade Training Centre includes the construction of an automotive workshop, an engineering workshop, an agriculture facility, a mobile training unit and also the provision of equipment across three sites within the cluster. It will deliver Certificate I and II qualifications in agriculture, automotive and engineering to address skills shortages in agriculture and in the trades of diesel motor mechanic, metal fabricator and sheetmetal worker
Meekatharra District High School
Morawa District High School
Mount Magnet District High School

Lead school – WA College of Ag – cluster schools – students will access, sometimes activities on

Senator for Western Australia, Louise Pratt said the funding for the Mid West is the latest instalment in the Australian Government’s $2.5 billion program to help schools build and upgrade trade training facilities.

“The Australian Government is committed to ensuring every Australian student, including students in the Mid West can get the skills they need to succeed in tomorrow’s workforce,” Senator Pratt said. 

“This is fantastic news for local secondary students, who will have access to state-of-the-art training facilities and will be able to acquire the skills they need for a trades career. 

“We are determined to ensure our economy stays strong by investing in the skilled workforce that businesses in the Mid West will need to stay competitive and create local jobs.

“We know that a person leaving school before finishing Year 11 will earn around 20 per cent below average earnings. We also know that too many school leavers are falling through the cracks and are not successfully making the move to further study or work.

“We recognise the need for more Australians to have trades qualifications. Equally we recognise that while going to university may suit some students, it’s not for everyone.

“This Australian Government investment is giving students in the Mid West more choice to find a career that suits them, and an investment in ensuring local businesses can access a workforce with the latest skills.

“This investment in schools in the Mid West is part of $1.2 billion already provided by the Australian Government for more than 370 Trade Training Centres benefiting over 1,060 secondary schools nationally,” Senator Pratt said.

Further information is available at www.tradetrainingcentres.deewr.gov.au

Media contact: Senator Pratt’s office: 08 9225 4411 or
DEEWR Media: media@deewr.gov.au  
Non-media queries: 1300 363 079

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