Minister opens $1 million TAFE buildings in Kununurra

20/5/00
Kununurra TAFE's new $1 million buildings were officially opened today by Employment and Training Minister Mike Board.
The State Government-funded project includes a car park, student canteen and a Learning Resource Centre housing the college library and a conference room. A flexible delivery room, providing educational facilities such as video-conferencing, also will be provided from the centre.
The official opening co-incided with the 1999 Kununurra TAFE graduation ceremony.
"The new buildings the Government has funded here are part of a significant capital works program in place for the Kimberley College of TAFE," Mr Board said.
"In the past six years, the State Government has spent about $10 million for the construction of facilities for the five campuses that make up the Kimberley College and this commitment is continuing with a further $7 million allocated up to 2005.
"The quality of these facilities and the training provided is evidenced in the significant growth in student numbers - last year more than 3,000 people were enrolled in full or part-time courses, an increase of 23 per cent on the previous year.
"And better yet, annual assessment by students of their satisfaction with the college's programs have been consistently the best in the State. In 1999, 87.1 per cent of students expressed satisfaction with the quality of teaching, student support, facilities and equipment compared with the State average of 82.5 per cent.
"Kimberley graduates also have excellent employment outcomes, with 77 per cent employed last year compared with the State average of 71 per cent."
Mr Board said living in a regional area should not mean people having to compromise on training options.
"What the State Government is doing is ensuring this doesn't happen," he said.
"We are using technology to help provide greater access to training opportunities through satellite reception, video conferencing and the development of online delivery services.
"The commitment to capital works ensures there is the physical space to expand courses and programs and build on course delivery.
"For instance in Broome, a major component of the new $1.75 million TAFE facilities we are funding there next financial year will be photography, ceramics and textile areas - so access to arts courses isn't restricted to the metropolitan area."
Mr Board said the Kimberley was expected to be one of the fastest growing regions in the State and the need for vocational education and training was rising.
"We are putting in place the means to ensure we are able to meet this increasing demand," he said.
Media contact: Tamatha Smith 9222 9211