There are 15 schools partnered with the new tech school at the university’s SMB campus, with students to be given free access to subjects.

Ballarat Tech School will focus on science, new energy technologies, food and fibre, advanced manufacturing and information technology. A building will be refurbished at the university at an estimated cost between $6 to $10 million.

Cash for the work is part of a $128 million state government fund to build 10 new tech schools across the state.

The school will place an emphasis on science, technology, engineering and maths.

Education Minister James Merlino and Wendouree MP Sharon Knight will visit Federation University to unveil designs for the new tech school on Tuesday.

The new tech school will be hosted at the university to introduce secondary students to tertiary education and provide a pathway into post-school education and training.

Newly-appointed tech school director Sofia Fiusco said there had already been talks with Ballarat companies about courses.

“We have been working with all our partner schools on where the tech school complements current programming,” she said.

“There are some big picture focuses from the education system around what they are wanting young people to be learning.

“We have really interesting industries locally, who are really happy to share their developments around what is happening in their world, and how that relates back to students in their world.”

Miss Fiusco said Staley Automation, Albins Performance Transmissions and Gekko were three companies that had been approached.

“They are industry leaders and are able to inform us about future industry, that is a critical part of any programs we design,” she said.

Gekko and Albins were two of three companies that added 145 jobs to the Ballarat region last week.

Along with truck trailer manufacturer MaxiTRANS, the companies are also working with to add TAFE courses with FedUni to help address a skills shortage.

Federation University will run the school with advice from a committee made up of schools, local government, TAFE, university and industry partners. Six priority industries have been linked to the new school.

The Ballarat Tech School will be at the university’s MB John building on Albert Street and will include an IT and virtual reality lab.

Ballarat Christian College, Ballarat Clarendon College, Ballarat Grammar, Ballarat High School, Ballarat Secondary College, Ballarat Specialist School and Damascus College are part of the program.

Others schools include Daylesford Secondary College, Federation College, Loreto College, Mount Clear College, Phoenix Community College, St Patrick’s College Ballarat and Yuille Park Community College.