- Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills
- Federal Member for O’Connor
The opening today of the new Great Southern Trades Skills Centre in Katanning (WA) will create pathways for local students into the workforce and on to valued careers, Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills Karen Andrews said.
Local students and staff in Katanning and nearby communities of Gnowangerup, Wagin, and Kojonup can now make full use of the trade training facilities, which have been developed through the Australian Government’s funding commitment of $2 million.
“It is great to be here with my colleague, the Member for O’Connor, Rick Wilson, to open this new trade skills centre and to see the facilities first-hand,” Minister Andrews said.
“The Great Southern Trades Skills Centre is about equipping local students with the real skills and qualifications they need to secure employment and build careers.
“There are many cities, communities and regions throughout Australia facing skills shortages in trades like motor mechanics and sheet trades workers.
“The skills that students will develop at the Great Southern Trades Skills Centre will not only benefit their local communities, they will be skills that could potentially put students on a pathway for a career in industries anywhere in Australia.”
The centre features a new trade training facility and includes the construction of an automotive workshop with car hoist, store rooms, class room and a covered central work area. It also incorporates a new metal trades workshop including seven welding bays, spray booth, store room, two covered verandas and amenities.
“The Australian Government is committed to ensuring vocational training meets the needs of industry and employers and to providing students with training, particularly in areas where there are skills shortages,” Minister Andrews said.
“Skills training at secondary schools provide a pathway to enter the workplace or to continue to pursue further training after school.”
The Federal Member for O’Connor, Rick Wilson, congratulated the local school communities for working to get the Great Southern Trades Skills Centre up and running.
“Training centres like this enable local students to pursue vocational pathways and develop skills across a range of fields,” Mr Wilson said.
“I went to school here at Katanning Senior High School, so I know how much this new centre means to the local school community, to local businesses, and to the region more generally.
"While buildings alone do not make a great school, I hope students and staff will enjoy learning and be inspired by these new facilities,” he said.