Midland TAFE first educational institution to move into Midland workshops

April 23, 1996 

Midland College of TAFE has become the first educational institution to move into the former Midland railway workshops.

An annexe of the college to cater for up to 400 TAFE students and staff was opened in part of the old workshops today by Employment and Training Minister Norman Moore.

Mr Moore said the college was expanding and had developed the workshop premises for the beginning of term two which began this week.

The annexe is housed in the old chief mechanical engineer's (CME) office block and will be used for classes in childcare, welfare studies, and health and fitness.

He said the building was suitable for use as an educational facility.  It had been fitted with new furniture and undergone minor restoration in keeping with the heritage of the building.

"The college is at a stage of development where additional facilities are needed and the CME block is ideal for educational delivery," Mr Moore said.

"This is also a very exciting step in the workshops becoming the site for a multi-functional education facility.

"I hope that TAFE's move will help the universities in their request for Commonwealth funding to create a Midland University campus."

Federal capital development funding used co-operation and/or co-location with TAFE as one of the criteria for assessing applications.

Mr Moore said that because of the site's potential to become a university campus, Midland TAFE had a limited lease agreement with Westrail and would share the facilities with any university, if required.

"It is important that there are opportunities for students to move between TAFE and the university sector for the optimum use of resources in both sectors," Mr Moore said.

"This annexe represents the beginning of what could be another major educational resource in the Midland region."

In addition to its mainstream award programs, Midland College also delivers programs Statewide and has a growing commercial activity which now included major overseas clients.

Media contact:  Anabel Gomez 321 1444