NEW ERA IN TAFE TRADITIONAL TRADES TRAINING
Published Tuesday, 12 December, 2006 at 03:04 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
The opening today of Stage One of a new $81.6 million trade and technical training facility in Brisbane heralds a new era in traditional trades training in Queensland
Premier Peter Beattie and Education and Training Minister Rod Welford today officially opened the Trade and Technician Skills Institute at Acacia Ridge, which is the first of its kind in Australia.
“This new Institute is part of a comprehensive strategy to address skills shortages, grow a strong economy and deliver a skilled workforce,” Mr Beattie said.
“It will provide leadership and training expertise to assist in the skilling of Queensland’s trade and technical workforce.
“The Institute is a key component of the Queensland Skills Plan released earlier this year, which supports the creation one of the most flexible, modern and innovative vocational education and training systems in Australia.
“These reforms will ensure Queensland continues to lead the nation in the battle against skills shortages.
“The latest figures from the independent National Centre for Vocational Education Research - for the 12 months to the end of June - show the number of Queenslanders taking up apprenticeships and traineeships is rising at more than double the national rate.
“Queensland’s future prosperity depends on the availability of highly skilled professionals and tradespeople to meet the demands of a burgeoning economy and the opportunities offered by technology developments.
“We are attracting and retaining apprentices through our initiatives, including shorter course durations and industry partnerships.
“The Institute will lead development and delivery throughout Queensland for automotive, building and construction, manufacturing and engineering and electrical and electronic studies.”
The state-of-the-art Acacia Ridge campus already accommodates a small number of students, and will expand enrolments progressively between now and its expected completion in 2010.
Mr Welford said the Institute will offer a wide range of trade and technical programs through the Acacia Ridge headquarters and a network of centres throughout Queensland.
“By 2010, we expect there will be more than 17,000 extra trade training places across the state,” Mr Welford said.
“These extra trade apprentices need up-to-date TAFE infrastructure to maximise their training potential.
“Over the next seven years we are spending almost $550 million on upgrading TAFE facilities to help attract and cater for the influx of apprentices.
“Industry needs are constantly changing, and we must continually strive to provide the best future possible for those undergoing skills training.”
ENDS
Tuesday, 12 December 2006
Media contact: Premier’s office – 3224 4500
Minister’s office – 3237 1000
Premier Peter Beattie and Education and Training Minister Rod Welford today officially opened the Trade and Technician Skills Institute at Acacia Ridge, which is the first of its kind in Australia.
“This new Institute is part of a comprehensive strategy to address skills shortages, grow a strong economy and deliver a skilled workforce,” Mr Beattie said.
“It will provide leadership and training expertise to assist in the skilling of Queensland’s trade and technical workforce.
“The Institute is a key component of the Queensland Skills Plan released earlier this year, which supports the creation one of the most flexible, modern and innovative vocational education and training systems in Australia.
“These reforms will ensure Queensland continues to lead the nation in the battle against skills shortages.
“The latest figures from the independent National Centre for Vocational Education Research - for the 12 months to the end of June - show the number of Queenslanders taking up apprenticeships and traineeships is rising at more than double the national rate.
“Queensland’s future prosperity depends on the availability of highly skilled professionals and tradespeople to meet the demands of a burgeoning economy and the opportunities offered by technology developments.
“We are attracting and retaining apprentices through our initiatives, including shorter course durations and industry partnerships.
“The Institute will lead development and delivery throughout Queensland for automotive, building and construction, manufacturing and engineering and electrical and electronic studies.”
The state-of-the-art Acacia Ridge campus already accommodates a small number of students, and will expand enrolments progressively between now and its expected completion in 2010.
Mr Welford said the Institute will offer a wide range of trade and technical programs through the Acacia Ridge headquarters and a network of centres throughout Queensland.
“By 2010, we expect there will be more than 17,000 extra trade training places across the state,” Mr Welford said.
“These extra trade apprentices need up-to-date TAFE infrastructure to maximise their training potential.
“Over the next seven years we are spending almost $550 million on upgrading TAFE facilities to help attract and cater for the influx of apprentices.
“Industry needs are constantly changing, and we must continually strive to provide the best future possible for those undergoing skills training.”
ENDS
Tuesday, 12 December 2006
Media contact: Premier’s office – 3224 4500
Minister’s office – 3237 1000