Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery visited South Regional TAFE's Esperance campus today to officially open the new facility.
The $18.69 million campus will be a major boost for the region, offering industry-ready training to the Esperance community.
Construction was completed in time for the multi-million-dollar facility to be used by students in July, at the start of Semester Two.
The new buildings include three trade workshops for training in construction, metal engineering and auto/machinery industries, as well as specialist facilities for childcare and aged and disability care.
Strategically located adjacent to Esperance Senior High School, the new campus will provide easy access for secondary students completing vocational education and training (VET) in school programs.
In the replacement of the 35-year-old former campus, approximately 200 full time jobs were created during construction, which was completed by Western Australia's EMCO Building.
Local Aboriginal organisation Tjaltjraak was consulted throughout the design process and was instrumental in identifying training needs, areas of cultural significance and landscape design, as well as being involved in providing public art.
The project was supported by a $10 million Royalties for Regions contribution.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"South Regional TAFE's new Esperance campus will offer a wider range of high quality training opportunities and encourage more people into VET.
"It is vital that people living in our regions can train locally, and now Esperance locals will be able to hone their skills in modern, first-class facilities."
As stated by Agricultural Region MLC Shelley Payne:
"I am thrilled to see the new Esperance campus now open and training students for in-demand jobs in our region.
"This project has created local jobs, boosted the economy and is in line with our commitment to invest in quality infrastructure to support the delivery of training in Esperance and the surrounding areas."
