TAFE is taking a big step forward in Gippsland with work
beginning on the second stage of TAFE Gippsland's $35.5 million
redevelopment of its Morwell campus, and Port of Sale campus
construction set to begin later in the year.
Stage two at Morwell includes the construction of a new Morwell
Trade Skills Centre, with preliminary works beginning last
month.
The fit-for-purpose innovative building was designed by architects
GHD Woodhead, and it will be built by ADCO Constructions, with the
opportunity for local Gippsland contractors to be involved through
a tender process.
TAFE Gippsland chief executive Grant Radford welcomed the latest
construction activity, saying the Morwell Trade Skills Centre would
complete the major redevelopment works taking place at the Morwell
campus.
"This state-of-the-art building will offer training in
electrotechnology, new energy systems, instrumentation and plumbing
trade training with specialist workshop, lab facilities and more
general-purpose classrooms," Mr Radford said.
"This second stage of our major redevelopment at Morwell will
bring first class trade skills training facilities to Morwell, and
provide exciting new vocational training opportunities to our
Latrobe Valley and broader Gippsland region students.
"We are delighted that the Victorian government is investing
significantly in new state-of-the-art facilities at our Morwell
campus to ensure we can meet the current and future needs of our
students, community and industry."
The Morwell Trade Skills Centre is due for completion late next
year, and will open to students in January 2022.
TAFE Gippsland's entire Morwell campus redevelopment can be
viewed via an animated video fly-through, which offers a birds'-eye
view of the new campus buildings.
TAFE Gippsland's other major campus construction project -
the new Port of Sale campus -
is due to begin construction in October, as TAFE Gippsland works
with the state government to improve the vocational education and
training facilities available to TAFE students in Wellington
Shire.
Eastern Victoria MLC Harriet Shing said the state-of-the-art
centre would offer training in electrotechnology, new energy
systems, instrumentation and plumbing trade training, with
specialist workshops, lab facilities and general-purpose
classrooms.
The first stage of the campus redevelopment includes a health
and early childhood training centre, along with specialised health
labs and learning spaces and general purpose classrooms.
"The TAFE Gippsland re-development is another great example of
the work we're doing to deliver training solutions in a changing
economy," Ms Shing said.
"These new trade facilities will benefit thousands of people
living in the region by providing access to high-quality training
for the most in-demand jobs in Gippsland."