C'wlth funding for regional TAFE works projects

Western Australia has been granted more than $500,000 by the Federal Government to undertake major works projects at regional technical and further education colleges.

The funding, to be matched by the State Government, meant more than $1 million would be spent on college facilities.

This was in addition to Federal funding of $1 million to create an extra 100 higher education places and $9.1 million for more than 3,000 TAFE places - including 1,268 places in country areas.

Announcing the decision today, Commonwealth Employment, Education and Training Minister Kim Beazley and State counterpart Kay Hallahan said the work would improve and expand education and training facilities in Hedland, Kalgoorlie, Paraburdoo and Onslow.

The joint funding included $80,000 to set up a demountable building in Onslow so Karratha College could deliver TAFE and general interest courses to the local community.  The facility would also train Aboriginal people for employment on the Marandoo iron ore project and proposed Onslow salt works.

A further $300,000 would be used to renovate Karratha College's Paraburdoo campus.

Airconditioning would be upgraded in four apprentice training workshops at Hedland College at a cost of $252,000.

Kalgoorlie College's hospitality and catering course teaching facilities would be upgraded with funding of $52,160.

Additional teaching facilities - including two classrooms, computer laboratory, staff offices and a curriculum area - would be built at Kalgoorlie College at a total cost of $390,916.

Mrs Hallahan said combined State and Federal efforts meant thousands of young Western Australians would have increased education and training opportunities.

The joint efforts meant the State Government was able to guarantee every 1991 Year 12 school leaver a place in education and training.

Full-time places in TAFE available for school-leavers had increased from 3,000 in 1991 to 7,000 this year.

Mr Beazley said the TAFE funding for Western Australia was part of a $100 million national package which would enable up to 40,000 extra students to obtain TAFE places in 1992.