Official launch of Kimberley Regional College of TAFE

9/11/94

Technical and further education in the far north of Western Australia has entered a new era with the official launch today of the new Kimberley Regional College of TAFE.

Education, Employment and Training Minister Norman Moore said today the development of two new campuses at Kununurra and Halls Creek was a major step towards providing Kimberley residents with better quality education and training programs. The Minister travelled to both centres for individual opening ceremonies.

"The new Kimberley College of TAFE will also have centres in Broome, Derby and Wyndham, and will collaborate with other providers such as the Karrayili Adult Education Centre in Fitzroy Crossing and the Catholic Education Commission," Mr Moore said.

"The college has its headquarters in Kununurra, but students and staff are linked electronically to other centres, providing access to the expertise of the entire college."

The Minister said that $3 million had been spent developing the Kununurra campus, which included a centre for flexible learning and satellite reception of courses, a modern information technology centre and a centre for tropical horticulture, agriculture and science.

The Halls Creek campus cost $1 million and also housed a Skillshare Office.

"In conjunction with Skillshare and with advice from the local education and training advisory committee, the campus will be able to effectively respond to the needs of people in the region," Mr Moore said.

The campus would also provide itinerant instructors to conduct courses at the Aboriginal communities in Balgo Hills, Mularn and Billiluna, as well as smaller communities in the Halls Creek region.

The Kimberley College of TAFE was a member of the recently-announced State-wide system of autonomous TAFE colleges, with individual colleges governed by local councils.

"While still linked to an integrated network of State training providers, the college will function with a high degree of autonomy and have as its focus, the Kimberley region," Mr Moore said.

"Under the direction of the college council, comprising industry and community representatives from across the Kimberley, the college focus will be in areas central to the economic development and social well-being of the entire region."

Mr Moore said the college would operate in close association with schools to provide initial training for secondary school-leavers.

"It will work collaboratively with business and industry to provide education and training in areas important to the region - tourism and business development, tropical horticulture, aquaculture and agriculture, industrial skills training and social and community development," he said.

Media contact: Ross Storey  321 1444  /  222 9595