Ashmore's TAFE campus on the Gold Coast has cemented its place as the region's state-of-the-art trades training centre as part of the Palaszczuk Government's $105 million program to revitalise TAFE campuses across Queensland.
Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the Ashmore TAFE campus marked the opening of a $10.5 million new trades training building as a major milestone in its modernisation project.
"This new construction training facility offers world-class training to students undertaking Certificate I right through to Diploma level in building and construction courses," Minister Farmer said.
"Currently 840 students are benefitting from the new facilities which include an elevated working-at-heights training area, open-plan classrooms, viewing platforms and interactive technology.
"The new trades training building is part of a $27.6 million campus transformation, featuring automotive and electrical trades facilities and a new student hub.
"The projects cater for student growth, provide contemporary fit-for-purpose facilities, and improve the student experience on campus," Ms Farmer said.
Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs and Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon represented Minister Farmer at today's official opening.
"The next project scheduled for the Ashmore TAFE campus is the new $5.7 million plumbing tower, due for completion in May next year," Minister Scanlon said.
"In addition to upgrading training facilities, we are supporting more young Queenslanders to take up trades through the Palaszczuk Government's free TAFE and free apprenticeships for under 25s.
"Currently more than 1,100 students are taking advantage of free training at Ashmore TAFE, with the majority of students in electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and light vehicle mechanical technology.
"In the Gold Coast, there are more than 3,000 young people who have taken up the option of our free training," Ms Scanlon said.
New apprentice Sarah Bowlder is one of the locals benefitting from Free apprenticeships for under 25s.
"Sarah was employed as an apprentice by the builders of the new training centre, ADCO, and will complete her Certificate III in Carpentry in the building she helped construct," Ms Farmer said.
"After graduating from university with a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 22-year-old Sarah decided a career in building and construction was what she really wanted."
From a young age Sarah enjoyed building things such as her own bedroom furniture or helping her family with home renovations.
"I feel blessed to have a carpentry apprenticeship and even more so having one with ADCO as one of their first female apprentices," Sarah said.
"I will be able to look around and know what went into each part, the individual steps, how it all came together and everything that went on."
Sarah and fellow Ashmore TAFE student, Andrea Ambroggiani who attended today's official opening, were employed by ADCO as their first female apprentices.
Sarah worked on the construction of the new centre, which commenced in April 2020 and was completed in late January 2021.
