Trade school to open

Updated November 5 2012 - 1:13pm, first published March 7 2006 - 1:11pm

A NEW $8 million Technical Education Centre will be built in Ballarat to introduce students to trades in their final years of secondary school.
The State Government yesterday announced the centre as part of the $241 million Maintaining the Advantage: Skilled Victorians package.
It will be one of four in the state, with the only other regional site in Wangaratta.
Premier Steve Bracks said the package aimed to encourage more people into trades and provide upskilling opportunities.
"We need to invest in the skills of current and future generations of workers if we are to meet future challenges of an ageing population, skill shortages and increased global competitions," he said.
"By investing in the knowledge and abilities of our workforce, we are not only ensuring their ongoing career success, but we are also building a strong state economy for all."
The TECs will link with the University of Ballarat's TAFE division.
The package also includes one of Victoria's nine Skills Stores featuring information on education, training and employment in Ballarat and a new specialist centre at the University of Ballarat for training in building and
construction.
Ballarat politicians and industry leaders have welcomed the announcement.
Ballarat East MLA Geoff Howard said the centre was a coup for the city.
"This investment will boost the skills of the local workforce and provide a major boost to the local economy," he said.
"The TEC will offer programs in the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships and traineeships and will help to provide local industries with the skills they need."
Brake manufacturer FMP Group managing director Tony Stone said he hoped the package would help alleviate a critical skills shortage in the manufacturing industry, while VECCI chief executive officer Neil Coulson said it
would be a relief to Ballarat's business community.
Ballarat MHR Catherine King said she hoped the centre would help turnaround the skills shortage.

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