A NEW multimillion dollar transport, engineering and technology centre is beginning to take shape at TAFE South Western Sydney Institute (TAFE SWSi) Wetherill Park College.

 

The refurbishment of the College to accommodate the new SWSi Wetherill Park TAFE Transport Technology Centre initially required the demolition or removal of certain buildings or structures. 

In a move that will undoubtedly be music to the ears of the NSW Government (who is funding the project) the college has come up with a novel approach to cutting costs during the demolition phase.

Buildings earmarked for demolition have been auctioned off at bargain prices but on the condition that the buyer removes the building at their own expense. 

TAFE SWSi Wetherill Park College Manager Brian Mulvey said the college had quotes of around $100,000 for the removal of a big demountable classroom; a big storage shed and spray booths. Crane costs alone to remove the demountable would have been $45,000. 

“We ended up selling them for six to seven thousand dollars so we’ve made a big saving that can go towards enhancing student experience on the campus,” he said. 

The centre is destined to be the largest automotive training facility in Sydney and will offer students a 21st century learning experience with the integration of technologies that allow students to be focused on workshop related tasks rather than traditional classroom-based learning. 

TAFE SWSi Teacher Chris Greentree said one of the major innovations would be Wi-Fi saturation through the classrooms, workshops and common areas connecting students to the National Broadband Network (NBN). 

“This means the learning experience will be enhanced for students because teachers will be able to show students things in video rather than relying on textbooks,” he said. 

TAFE SWSi Institute Director Peter Roberts said it was great to see such innovative thinking to cut costs for a project designed to be at the cutting edge of innovative learning. 

“The Centre itself will have state of the art facilities and provide a huge boost to training and career opportunities to people in the region and beyond.” 

The Centre will open in 2016 and offer students a number of course options including light vehicle technology, heavy vehicle mechanical technology, plant mechanics, automotive electrical technology, speciality automotive courses and engineering technology courses.

www.swsi.tafensw.edu.au