TAFE in line for upgrade

THE Queensland state election funding lolly scramble continues – with Labor promising a boost for trades training on the Gold Coast.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s State Government is pledging to invest an extra $15 million into trades training and a TAFE campus upgrade on the Gold Coast if re-elected, the Bulletin can reveal.

In an announcement today, Labor will unveil a pledge for a major trades funding boost which includes $15 million to upgrade the Gold Coast TAFE campus and increasing training opportunities.

The funding is part of an $85 million, three-year, statewide support to TAFE campuses and training opportunities in the Queensland regions.

Rowan Holzberger, Labor candidate in the seat of Bon- ney, said the $15m upgrade was a commitment to training and facilities – and would be a legacy investment after the Commonwealth Games in April.

“With GOLDOC (Commonwealth Games organising committee) currently occupying a large portion of the Ashmore campus, there needs to be planning done for the future TAFE demand in the wider Gold Coast region,” he said.

“For TAFE to be the premium provider of training in this state, they need to operate in facilities that are modern, fit-for-purpose and flexible.”

All works under the Labor policy were subject to Queensland Government Building and Construction Training Policy. It requires 15 per cent of the upgrade work to be carried out by trainees and apprentices.

Minister for Training and Skills Yvette D’Ath said the funding was part of a plan to revitalise training sites.