Federal member for Page Kevin Hogan today officially opened the $1.3 million Trade Skills Centre at Trinity Catholic College – one of six centres he announced would be built across the Northern Rivers and Clarence Valley last year.
“It is wonderful to have delivered on this promise. The Trinity Lismore Lavalla Trade Skills Centre will provide an alternative pathway to employment for students and expand their Vocational Employment and Training opportunities,” Mr Hogan said.
“Employment surveys have found there is a high concentration of Food Service businesses in our community, but also there is a high-degree difficulty in filling chefs’ positions.
“This new centre will help bridge that gap by training students who are ready to take up work in food-related positions.”
The Trade Skills Centre boasts a new industry standard kitchen with the initial capability of 18 Hospitality places to address an industry area identified by the Commonwealth as experiencing skills shortage in rural and regional Australia, including the Northern Rivers.
Trinity is also willing to share classes with other schools if, and when, the need for such a partnership arises, Trinity Principal Brother John Hilet said.
“We are also open to entering into a partnership with TAFE who are keen to access to facilities near the CBD. It will build on already established partnerships with local organisations\businesses who utilise our function facility adjacent to the new Centre,” he said.
The Lavalla Skills Training centre will also offer Taster Courses and pathways to commence Hospitality qualifications in Stages 5 aiming to complete Certificate II by the end of Year 12. Early engagement in VET at Stage 5 will enable students to make informed choices about Year 11/12 subject choices.
With Hospitality, Trinity will provide a solid vocational pathway to suit the needs of students who will eventually be seeking work on the North Coast. With VET Entertainment currently offered, plus Tourism offered by TAFE North Coast, Hospitality will complement this pattern of study.
Early last year Mr Hogan announced six local schools would share in $5.8 million to establish Trade Skill Centres to give students more study and job options.
The schools are Alstonville High ($1 million) for building works which includes a new primary industries centre; Evans River K-12 Community School ($1 million) to establish a new Trade Training Centre; Grafton High ($1 million) for a new hospitality Trade Training Centre; Induna School ($550,000) also for a new hospitality Trade Training Centre; South Grafton High ($1 million) for a new woodworking Trade Training Centre and; Trinity Catholic College ($1.3 million) for a hospitality Trade Training Centre.
