A multi-million dollar trade training centre has opened at Woodcrest State College, Springfield, providing specialised vocational training to help students become job ready.
The new $4.2 million centre features a state-of-the-art eight-bed hospital ward for students to study up to diploma level, a dedicated medical theory study space, expanded electro-technology space and refurbished aviation space.
Minister for Education Di Farmer opened the Wes TEC Trade Training Centre, which will serve Redbank Plains State High School, Bellbird Park State Secondary College, Springfield State High School, Forest Lake State High School, Bundamba State Secondary College and Ripley Valley State Secondary College.
Students from other schools from across the Ipswich region can also use the centre to complete a variety of courses. More than 700 enrolments are expected this year.
Minister for Education Di Farmer officially opened the new facility at the start of school term last week.
“It’s so important for our students to be ready to walk into post-school employment and this new training centre in particular, adds to our rich array of learning pathways students can choose from.
“We are investing $17.8 billion in Queensland’s education system this year, commissioning new schools, expanding existing ones in areas of high growth and building quality new facilities such as this project at Woodcrest State College,” she said.
Woodcrest State College executive principal, Debbie Hansen said the new centre makes a big difference for students who want to pursue a career in health or trade industries through certificate or diploma courses which can lead to direct entry into university.
Ms Hansen said Woodcrest College and its partner schools were excited to have the new facility on site to help deliver pathways in trade-based and non-ATAR course-based education many students, and the local industries and the Queensland economy, needed.
She said the partnership with WesTEC also provided opportunities for students completing industry-based courses to engage in the centre’s formal work experience program with industry partners in heavy industry.
“All students enrolled in our Technical Education Community partnership who engaged in the work experience program were offered an apprenticeship,” she said.
In partnership with TAFE SouthWest the college provides a range of certificate courses including: Health and Health Administration, Certificate I – Construction, Certificate II – Automotive, Electro-technology, Plumbing, Salon Assistant, Barbering, Engineering, Manufacturing and Technology, Community Services and Retail Cosmetics.
