Catherine King

Federal Member for Ballarat

Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing

Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport

$1.5 MILLION FOR TRADES TRAINING FACILITY IN BALLARAT

Friday, 16 December 2011

Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, today announced funding of $1.5 million to the Ballarat Christian College to establish a trades training centre.

Ms King said the funding, part of the latest installment in the Gillard Government’s $2.5 billion program to help schools build and upgrade trade training facilities, would be of great benefit for students who want to get into a trade.

The funding will enable Ballarat Christian College to establish its own Trade Training Centre, with construction of an engineering workshop, a construction workshop and furniture making workshop and provision of the necessary equipment.

The new Trade training Centre will deliver Certificate I, II and III qualifications in construction, engineering and manufacturing to address skills shortages in the trades of cabinetmaking, carpentry, carpentry and joinery, joinery and metal machining.

“The Australian Government is committed to ensuring every Australian student, including students in our region, can get the skills they need to succeed in tomorrow’s workforce,” Ms King 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."

Ms King said the Government is determined to ensure the economy stays strong by investing in the skilled workforce that businesses in regions like Ballarat 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," Ms King said.

“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 Ballarat and region more choice to find a career that suits them, and an investment in ensuring local businesses can access a workforce with the latest skills."

The investment at Ballarat Christian College is part of $1.2 billion already provided by the Australian Government for more than 370 Trade Training Centres benefitting over 1,060 secondary schools across the nation.

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