Top skills centre

A MULTI-million dollar Trades Centre will be built at Chisholm’s Berwick campus.
The State Government announced it will provide $22 million towards the facility and Chisholm will provide $4million.
Its design is expected to be innovative, and it will be built in accordance with the sustainable building practices and utilising the latest in green technologies.
The state-of-the art centre will feature hairdressing and beauty salons, multi-function electro technology and telecommunications laboratories and a multi-trade building simulated building site designed for multiple trades such as carpentry, plumbing, bricklaying and electrical.
There will be an industry showcase within the facility, incorporating the latest equipment, applications and processes from industry, as well as incorporating sustainability and green skills needs in the training of apprentices and those already employed in the key trades.
The centre will also host industry workshops and conferences across the region.
Director and CEO Chisholm Institute Maria Peters said the new centre would allow Chisholm to meet the growing demand for apprenticeship, education and training and post trades skills needed for industry in the south east growth corridor.
“The centre will provide pathways for students completing their VCAL and pre-apprentice programs at Chisholm’s Technical Education Centre (TEC) at Berwick, exit school leavers as well as enabling individuals not currently engaged in learning to start or build a career,” she said.
“The Centre will also offer higher level post trade qualifications and skills in areas such as small business, project management and other value added skills needed by industry and individuals already in the workforce.
“By building this facility, Chisholm continues to ensure that it provides qualifications and career pathways for individuals in its communities, training that builds the capability and skills needed by industry to ensure strong economic prosperity.”
Gembrook MP Brad Battin said the project was exciting news.
“Apprentices from the Gembrook electorate will no longer have to travel to Dandenong for training- soon they will have just a short train or bus ride to Berwick.”
The new centre follows on from the success of the Berwick Technical Centre (TEC), which has operated at capacity since its launch in 2009 and offers pathways by building on successful youth engagement and completions in key skill shortage areas.