Budget funding - Balga TAFE

14/4/97

Balga's TAFE facilities will receive a $500,000 boost in this year's State Budget. Employment and Training Minister Cheryl Edwardes said the funds, part of the more than $320 million employment and training budget, were earmarked for extensions to the North Metropolitan College's Balga Campus library.

Mrs Edwardes said the library extensions would be a significant addition to the Balga Campus facilities.

North Metropolitan College of TAFE will also receive a $7.3 million boost to complete the $10 million Flexible Learning Centre and Student Facilities project at Joondalup.

"The Budget reflects the on-going commitment of the Government to ensuring a secure future for Western Australians through training, skills and jobs," the Minister said.

She said enhancing the employment opportunities of Western Australians was a priority for the State Government.

The landmark Budget is the first to be brought down since the new Vocational, Education and Training Act was implemented on January 1, 1997, marking a new phase in the delivery of training throughout the State.

"The Budget supports the on-going provision of training to ensure a sound skills base in Western Australia, as well as supporting training directed at addressing special skills areas, particularly those relating to major resource development projects," Mrs Edwardes said.

Across the State, metropolitan and regional training has been boosted by more than $28 million for major capital works.

Mrs Edwardes said the Budget also highlighted developments in the area of new apprenticeships, with an additional $300,000 to be spent on the expansion of group training companies to allow more small businesses to employ apprentices and trainees.

"A further $500,000 will boost competitively tendered enterprise-related training which focuses training in high priority skill areas," she said. Metropolitan-based Employment Development Officers and Job Link projects will continue to receive Budget funding.

Media contact: Kirsten Stoney (09) 222 9595