General News
20 November, 2024
Skills closer to home for regional tradies, new centre opens
Regional Skill shortage addressed by new engineering centre.
Engineering students in Victoria's west are getting hands-on experience with cutting-edge equipment in Horsham's modern new training facilities, officially opened on Tuesday, November 19.
Federation TAFE's new engineering centre at its Wimmera campus in Horsham, will provide the opportunity for apprentices to study for their Certificate III Engineering closer to home.
Often, travel and living away from home can be a challenge in career-building opportunities, but the new facility will address the high demand in the Wimmera for skilled workers in the local engineering sector, particularly for manufacturing and maintaining agricultural machinery and equipment.
The new facilities include a state-of-the-art engineering workshop and learning spaces with industry-standard tools and equipment. The precinct can train up to 15 students at a time.
Darren Gray, Chief Executive, TAFE and Pro-Vice Chancellor, VET and University Pathways at Federation University Australia said at the opening, "Federation TAFE is happy to welcome engineering back on-site to the Wimmera Campus.
"The new state-of-the-art engineering learning space will enable those previously disadvantaged by distance to access quality local training and stay in the region to live and work.
"The new training facilities will help to develop a highly skilled workforce in the Wimmera Southern Mallee and are part of the government's continued investment in TAFE infrastructure across the state."
Federation TAFE is working closely with other Registered Training Organisations in the region to develop a pipeline of engineering apprenticeships, meaning more students can gain industry-relevant qualifications and complete their apprenticeships closer to home.
Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora could not attend the opening but said, "These new facilities mean Wimmera apprentices can now gain top-notch skills on industry-standard equipment right here in Horsham."
A foreman from Smallaire in Horsham, Robbie Fischer, said his company employs five apprentices currently and is looking for more.
"This facility will help us with apprenticeships, but it will also help us retain our workforce," he said.
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