Mega trade school

By Melissa Grant
PAKENHAM students could soon benefit from a multi-million dollar trade training centre.
Pakenham Secondary, Kooweerup Secondary, Beaconhills and St Francis Xavier colleges will meet today (Thursday) to discuss the possibility for a mega educational facility that would cater for 15 to 19-year-olds in the area.
This comes after the Federal Government recently announced plans to enable all secondary schools to apply for funding between $500,000 and $1.5 million for trade training.
By joining forces, the four secondary schools could secure funding for a $6 million centre.
Cardinia Shire CEO Garry McQuillan said the prospect of a joint proposal had been discussed and he was excited about the potential benefit of a major new trades centre in Cardinia Shire.
“Ensuring there are learning opportunities for people all ages is a major priority for council,” he said.
“Council is actively working to attract increased post-compulsory education opportunities for our young people and we this as a great opportunity.
“Council is keen to work with education officials and the wider community to maximise the value of this Australian Government program and potentially deliver a multi-million-dollar facility for our young people.”
SELLEN CEO Paul Di Masi said securing a training facility for the Pakenham area was “absolutely crucial”.
“We’ve noted over the last few years when working with the Cardinia Shire that the shire, particularly Pakenham, doesn’t have a TAFE basically,” he said.
Mr Di Masi said the facility would offer the opportunity for young people to complete pre-apprenticeships or Certificate III in a trade.
He said the Federal Government had listed trades such as automotive and construction, but those involved with getting the centre up and running would be also keen to include other trades relevant to the local area including horticulture, agriculture, childcare and aged care.
“Ideally we’d build one for schools, young people and local employers,” Mr Di Masi said.
The Trade Training Centres in Schools Program is part of the Rudd Government’s education revolution. It will provide $2.5 billion over 10 years to enable all secondary schools to apply for funding.
Mr Di Masi said forming a partnership between the schools would improve the chances of securing funding for the project.
“The Federal Government has been clear that they prefer a cluster approach,” he said.
“This way we’re more likely to succeed.”
Mr Di Masi said if the partnership didn’t go ahead he was sure that at least one of the schools would pursue a training centre on their own.
“Either way the winners are the Pakenham community,” he said.