6/12/04
A new era in education and training began in the Pilbara today with the signing of an agreement between Karratha Senior High School, Pilbara TAFE and Curtin University of Technology.
Education and Training Minister Alan Carpenter said that closer links across these education sectors would boost education and training opportunities in the Pilbara and help meet the local demand for a highly skilled workforce.
"This agreement underpins the establishment of the Karratha Education and Training Precinct, which will see more efficient sharing of facilities and resources and support the requirements of industries and communities in the region.
"The precinct will also allow people living in the Pilbara to complete their secondary schooling, undertake vocational education and training and tertiary studies without leaving the region."
Mr Carpenter said this partnership linked in with his proposal to raise the school leaving age.
"Raising the school leaving age is about providing young people with education and training choices that are flexible and relevant to suit their needs," he said.
"The Karratha Education and Training Precinct is an initiative that has already shown potential to achieve this."
The Minister said the signing of the agreement formalised an existing association between the high school, Pilbara TAFE and Curtin.
"This year, 45 Karratha Senior High School students studied at Pilbara TAFE doing school work as well as vocational education and training courses," he said.
"A further 25 Year 11 and Year 12 students have also studied hospitality and information technology at the campus."
Mr Carpenter said the establishment of the Karratha Education and Training Precinct was part of the Gallop Government's commitment to meeting the skills needs of the State's booming resources sector.
The Minister said today's ceremony marked the beginning of many exciting developments in education and training in the region.
"The new precinct will include facilities to access the $13million centre for excellence in oil and gas training, announced by the Premier on Wednesday," he said.
"This state-of-the-art centre will provide real-time simulator links between Karratha and Perth and includes video conferencing facilities which will enable Pilbara TAFE students to study and complete some of their qualifications entirely in the area.
"The $2.2million Karratha Burrup Interpretative Centre, which was announced by the Minister in September, will also form part of the new precinct.
"This exciting new partnership will open up a world of education and training opportunities for people in the Pilbara."
Minister's office: 9213 6800
