$17m Albany TAFE campus revamp to build a bright future for youth

South Regional TAFE Albany will undergo a $17 million revamp over the next three years as part of the WA Government’s biggest TAFE capital works program in the State’s history.

Premier Mark McGowan unveiled the State Government’s $229.2m Rebuilding our TAFEs program on Tuesday, as part of its $5.5 billion COVID-19 recovery plan.

The program is estimated to create 1000 jobs.

The announcement comes less than a month after a $57m package to slash TAFE fees and upskill workers was unveiled.

The fee shake-up included the addition of 39 Lower Fees, Local Skills courses and15 free short courses to be offered at campuses Statewide.

Regional students will benefit from $79.1m worth of facility upgrades, including a $17m upgrade to Albany’s South Regional TAFE campus.

South Regional TAFE managing director Sue Lapham said the funding would be used for extensive upgrades to the campus’ trade training facilities.

“New trades workshops and classrooms will be constructed on the southern side of Anson Road, opposite the main campus,” she said.

“Already on this site are workshops for plumbing, construction and electrotechnology, which will be upgraded.

“The new workshops will accommodate the delivery of carpentry and joinery, fitting and machining, and metal fabrication, which are currently delivered on the northern side of Anson Road.”

Ms Lapham said planning, design and construction would take about three years.

“Albany is a very good campus that serves the community very well, and the trade training facility will allow us to capture a lot more local students and give them a better experience,” she said.

“It will provide students with the very best learning environment, with all trades located in one hub.”

Premier Mark McGowan said the Rebuilding Our TAFEs plan would create a pipeline of jobs and ensure WA rebounded stronger than ever.

“The plan will support the creation of jobs in the short term, but will also enable us to build a strong future,” he said.

“This is about ensuring young Western Australians have a bright future, laying the groundwork for the ongoing prosperity of our State.”