NSW Minister for Skills John Barilaro visited the construction site of the new engineering and technology centre which is taking shape at TAFE NSW - South Western Sydney Institute’s (TAFE SWSi’s) Wetherill Park College on Friday, 5 June 2015.
Mr Barilaro inspected the site and chatted to construction workers and students who will benefit from the centre’s state-of-the-art facilities.
Mr Barilaro said that the centre wouldprovide a massive boost to training and career opportunities for people in the south western Sydney region where the youth unemployment rate was around 16 percent.
“There’s no question that the investment in this facility will meet the needs of industry, not just for today but, for well into the future,” Mr Barilaro said.
TAFE SWSi Institute Director Peter Roberts, who accompanied the Minister on the visit said the centre was a “landmark facility in the region”.
“We see it underpinning the development of skills in the region of south-western Sydney,” Mr Roberts said.
The 2016 opening of the multi-million dollar TAFE SWSi Transport & Engineering Technology Centre is timed to coincide with an expected spike in demand for courses in automotive transport, engineering, technology and logistics.
The centre will be the largest training facility of its kind in Sydney and will offer an integrated delivery approach to training in transport technology which will meet the needs of students and industry into the future.
The centre will offer students a 21st century learning environment changing from a traditional teacher-centric model to a learner-centric model that will provide for a better student experience.
TAFE SWSi Manufacturing & Transport Faculty Director Terry Saunby said “flexible learning” was the key to improved educational outcomes for students attending the state-of-the art Centre.
“As automotive technologies continue to rapidly change, the TAFE SWSi Transport & Engineering Technology Centre will have the capacity to adapt learning spaces quickly and efficiently to keep pace,” Mr Saunby said.
“Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the classrooms, workshops and common areas and the integration of proven technologies will allow students to be engaged in workshop projects and activities rather than following a traditional lock step classroom delivery.”
The TAFE SWSi Transport & Engineering Technology 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.
