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$12.6 million to boost regional TAFE SA

26 June 2009

More than $12.6 million is to be spent on upgrading learning facilities at 21 TAFE SA campuses around South Australia.

Employment, Training and Further Education Minister, Michael O'Brien, says: "$10 million from the Commonwealth's Training Infrastructure Investment for Tomorrow (TIIFT) fund and $2.63 million from the Better TAFE Facilities (BTF) fund will be used to refurbish training facilities and upgrade machinery and equipment."

"Along with the Commonwealth, we're committed to meeting our skills needs for the future and this infrastructure funding will support our increased investment in training announced in the recent State Budget, which will create nearly 56,000 new training places over the next four years,' Mr O'Brien says.

"Our training needs are changing with students and employers demanding more modern, dynamic and flexible approaches to learning and more environmentally sustainable facilities.

"TAFE SA Whyalla and Mount Gambier will share in the TIIFT $10 million upgrade of training facilities.

"Whyalla's share of the $10 million fit out is centred on creating suitable training workshops for mining programs and related industries as minerals exploration and development continues to increase," Mr O'Brien says.

"The Whyalla campus will also undergo a refit to create additional classrooms, e-learning spaces, and additional study facilities for students. The upgrade will also include walkways providing shelter and improved access for students and staff.

"Two new workshops will be fitted out at the Mount Gambier campus to support the heavy vehicle, carpentry and joinery industries providing more training and associated employment opportunities in the south-east region," Mr O'Brien says.

The remaining $2.63 million BTF funding allocation will be used to fund upgrades to building works, machinery and equipment in the regions, including:

  • $1.68 million for TAFE SA Whyalla, Port Pirie, Mount Gambier, Berri, Murray Bridge, Port Lincoln, Roxby Downs and some smaller sites for purchasing and upgrading industrial equipment used for training purposes;
  • a further $700,000 to install energy efficient lights, energy-efficient air conditioning and other improvements at the Mount Barker and Mount Gambier campuses;
  • $250,000 for the Whyalla campus to install a lift to improve access for students and staff with a disability.