Budget - Bunbury TAFE facilities

6/5/96

Bunbury TAFE is on the way to receiving a new Science and Engineering complex as a result of this year's State Budget which targets the vocational education and training needs of regional Western Australia.

The South-West regional college has been allocated $200,000 for the planning and design work for the project which is expected to cost $8 million.

Employment and Training Minister Norman Moore said enhancing the employment opportunities of people in regional WA was a priority for the State Government.

"We are committed to supporting and maintaining the economic growth and industrial development in this State through developing and upgrading the skills of the current and future workforce," he said.

"That is particularly important in WA where unemployment tends to be highest but where growth in resource development and other industries promises a brighter future."

Across the State, regional and rural training has been boosted by $13.8 million for major capital works. As well as Bunbury, regions to benefit include:

·       the Pilbara, where $2.4 million will be spent on a classroom clock and language centre at Pundulmurra College;

·       Broome, with $500,000 for a new TAFE centre;

·       Derby, where construction will begin on a new TAFE centre at a cost of $.5 million;

·       existing facilities at Kalgoorlie will be converted and refurbished for the provision of a Hospitality Training facility; and -

·       Albany, where more than $1.5 million has been earmarked to complete construction of facilities for administration and human sciences at the Albany campus of the Great Southern regional college of TAFE.

The Minister said rural and metropolitan areas would continue to be serviced by Regional Employment Development Officers with the Department funding rural and metropolitan Job Link projects and regional Aboriginal Economic Employment Development Officer Projects.

Media contact: Anabel Gomez 321 1444