NORTHBRIDGE’S Central Institute of Technology has finally been officially opened with the $62 million training facility being referred to by the state government as the “centrepiece for one of Western Australia’s biggest state training providers”.
The building covers 11,000 square metres and is the final stage of an extensive training precinct development, which aims to link the existing former Tafe sites on Aberdeen and Newcastle streets.
Funded by both the federal and state governments, the building will include adaptable, applied research laboratories and live spaces, as well as a dedicated support unit for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
About 29,000 students, including more than 1,300 international students, are enrolled at the institute’s six campuses.
The project has previously been referred to as part of the state government’s plan to diversify the usage of Northbridge, creating a campus vibe in the area.
Premier Colin Barnett said the development was in line with the state government’s priority of investing in training to create a skilled workforce and meet labour demands.
“The WA economy is facing another period of sustained expansion, driven by more than $170 billion worth of resource and infrastructure projects in the investment pipeline over the next five years or so,” he said.
In March a $23 million new trades training centre in Clarkson was announced in line with that strategy.
The facility, known as Trades North and operated by West Coast Institute of Training, is set to offer industry led pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship and post trade training for a varying group of trades.
Training and Workforce Development Minister Peter Collier said the facility would assist in creating a highly skilled workforce for the building and construction, electrotechnology and light manufacturing industries.