State Budget delivers for Ashmore TAFE

This year’s State Budget has delivered even more for the Gold Coast with $21.1 million committed to the Ashmore TAFE campus over the next two years.

Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman visited the campus to announce the funding for new trade training facilities and the revitalisation of existing infrastructure.

“Making sure we have the skilled workforce for the jobs of the future on the Gold Coast is vital to our thriving economy,” Ms Fentiman said.

“The Palaszczuk Government will continue to invest in training for Queenslanders and that’s why we have doubled our commitment to revitalise TAFE campuses across the state with more than $105 million in this year’s Budget.

“With this commitment, we will be investing $21.1 million to support plumbing and construction trades training spaces, general learning areas and a student services hub as well as revitalising the campus to ensure Gold Coast students have access to world class training.

“This is following the competition of the $1.5 million works to upgrade D Block where the former Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Corporation office existed to now offer industry-grade, fit-for-purpose electrical trade training.”

Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said the electrical trade training upgrades included workshop space and a smaller, flexible general learning area plus eight new cool rooms for air conditioning and refrigeration students, 40 new wiring bays and hybrid practical and theory space dedicated to telecommunications data technology training.

“This will mean more young Queenslanders will be able to gain the valuable skills and training right here on the Gold Coast to fill the jobs of the future.” Ms Scanlon said.

“At this stage design work is underway, with major construction scheduled to commence in 2020.”

“This work is another sign of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to supporting trade training pathways across the state.”

Ms Fentiman met plumbing and carpentry apprentices training at Ashmore campus as part of her visit.

“We will continue our free tafe initiative to provide all year 12 graduates the opportunity to gain a valuable qualification across 160 courses and launch into an exciting career for free.

“At the Ashmore campus there are more than 400 students already gaining a qualification for free thanks to free tafe with over a quarter of them are studying the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician.

“They will make use of the new training spaces and I look forward to the upgrades adding to the excellent facilities here.”

Free tafe for Year 12 graduates is available in the calendar year after students graduate.

Eligibility criteria, advice for people interested in taking up a training course and other information on accessing this free training funded by the Queensland Government is available from www.desbt.qld.gov.au/freetafe.

ENDS
Media Contact: Inga Williams 0439 949 719