Trade Training Centre opens at Emmanuel College -Notre Dame -Point Cook campus

The  Emmanuel College, Notre Dame campus, Trade Training Centre was formally opened by Joanne Ryan, Federal Member for Lalor on Tuesday April 29^th.

‘It was great to attend the formal opening of the Emanuel college, Notre Dame campus Trade Training Centre.  I commend Emmanuel College and particularly Chris Stock the team from the Notre Dame Campus, for all your efforts in delivering this marvellous facility’ said Ms Ryan

I would also like to acknowledge Bobby Evans for his ongoing work in the VET/VCAL area ensuring that this building comes alive as an effective learning space with the right courses, the right teachers and a positive culture.

The Trades Training Centre program, particularly this building here, is providing access to the VET system, in partnership with Kangan TAFE, for students in Years 9 to 12 to improve outcomes for young people through increasing retention rates and providing a pathway to a vocational career.

The Trade Training Centres program in schools was designed to address skill shortages in traditional trades and emerging industries by equipping schools with the state-of-the-art, industry standard, facilities they need. 

‘As a former principal I know that research shows that student’s pride in their learning environment leads to increased self-esteem, manifesting in improved student outcomes’ said Ms Ryan.

Six years ago, when this program started, schools struggled to offer meaningful VET programs.  Today, here at Notre Dame, we see fifty students are already benefitting from the electro-technology courses offered at this facility. This facility is also being utlilised by the students in the VCAL program.

These new Trade Training Centres are concrete evidence of Federal Labor’s determination to ensure every young Australian can get the skills they need to succeed, no matter what field they want to build a career in.  We all know the longer students remain engaged in education, the better their long term employment outcomes will be. 

The Trade Training Centres in Schools program goes beyond building facilities, it encourages schools to work with local businesses.  This investment is a win for businesses because Trades Training Centres help ensure students get the skills which local employers need. Schools are encouraged to work with local employers who can support the schools with expertise, equipment and provide on the job placements, school based apprenticeships and traineeships for students.

This center is part of the Hobsons Bay cluster, meaning students are coming not just from Emmanuel College, they are coming from across the region including from Laverton College, Mt St Joseph’s, Point Cook Senior School and Williamstown High School.  A great example in regional cooperation.

Investing in education sends a strong message to students, their families and the community about the high value of education. The Federal Government’s contribution of $1.5million for this center is part of 6 years of funding of over $1.4 billion for more than 510 Trade Training Centres benefitting more than 1,290 secondary schools across Australia. Hundreds of thousands of students are actively participating in training, from agricultural and aeronautical studies, to hospitality and engineering studies, across Australia.

It is a great disappointment that the Abbott Government has cancelled further investment in this program, meaning hundreds of school across Australia will now not benefit in the same way.

‘Once again I congratulate all of those involved in getting this facility delivered and wish all the current and future students, who study here, all the best for the future’ concluded Ms Ryan.