Construction of the $3.5 million Warwick Trade Training Centre, designed to address trade shortfalls, will commence early next month.
The Training Centre consists of three sites and a partnership of four schools include Allora State School, Clifton State High School, Killarney State School and Warwick State High School.
Schools have already responded positively in their applications for the project, with more than 170 students already lined up to access the trade training in its first year.
Students will continue their high school studies, but have the added benefit of graduating with a trade certificate that could improve their chance of gaining employment.
The centre will offer Certificate I and II in engineering, fabrication, small motors, agriculture, rural operations; as well as attracting interest from local mining companies eager for more staff.
The program was designed to provide funding so that students can access high quality trade training facilities that meet industry standards.
The program will deliver Certificate II qualifications in sampling and measuring for the mining industry, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
“As the trade training centre is located on the cusp of the Surat Basin Mining area, local mines have expressed an interest in working with the centre to source future employees for their projects,” the spokesperson said.
Almost 7 hectares of land will be used near Killarney State School to construct the Trade Training Centre, while onsite construction will take place at Warwick State High.
Federal member for Maranoa Bruce Scott said the new centre would be mainly based at Warwick State High School but would also support students from Allora, Clifton and Killarney.
“The federal funding will include the construction of an industrial workshop and an industrial shed, the refurbishment of an existing facility to include an engineering workshop, as well as providing equipment across the schools,” he said.
Deputy Principal of Warwick State High, Janelle Robb, said the centre would be a great boost to education and training in the area.
“It will provide students with the opportunity to gain meaningful qualifications while still engaged at school,” she said.
Provided applications for the developments are approved, and construction is on schedule, the facility could be up and running towards the end of 2013, however no deadline has yet been announced.
