EMCO secures Esperance TAFE build

Perth company EMCO Building has been awarded the build contract at South Regional TAFE’s new $18.34 million Esperance campus, under a deal with the state government.

Plans for the project were announced at the end of 2016, with HASSELL appointed as architect to design the campus in 2018.

The new campus will replace the existing facility on Pink Lake Road, with construction likely to begin in June and students expected to relocate around September 2022.

Osborne Park-based EMCO will build three trade workshops for training in construction, metal engineering and machinery industries, as well as specialist facilities for childcare, institutional and home care for NDIS and aged care training.

The Department of Education said the new TAFE building would provide local secondary school students with access to vocational education and training (VET) programs as part of their education.

“The modern facility will increase the scope of training offered in Esperance, providing a wider range of high quality training opportunities and encourage people back into VET,” Education Minister Sue Ellery said.

She said construction of the new facility would also support local jobs, with the state government to monitor the number of regional contractors employed through the construction phase.

Indigenous organisation Tjaltjraak has been consulted throughout the design process, the state government said, to identify training needs, areas of cultural significance and landscape design.

Tjaltjraak will also provide public art for the facility.