Box Hill Institute of TAFE Chief Executive Officer Mr John Maddock welcomed the announcement by Minister for Education Julia Gillard, and Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, that the Institute had been successful in obtaining funding for the first stage of its new Integrated Technology Hub from the Commonwealth Government Education Investment Fund.
Stage one of the new Technology Hub has a total cost of $41m, including a construction cost of $30m, $15m of which will come from the Education Investment fund, with the Institute funding the remainder.
The project will create an additional 3,103 student places annually. These additional places will contribute to the government’s national goals and objectives, including Australia’s performance against OECD indicators, by providing an:
- increase of 30 per cent of students in Certificate III and above
- increase of 30 per cent in the number of apprentices
- increase of 30 per cent in apprentices moving into full-time employment
- increase of 24 per cent in students studying higher-level qualifications.
The building will be a model of environmental sustainability, with green star accreditation.
The first stage of the Integrated Technology Hub is an integral part of the Institute Strategic Plan. The facility will provide lifelong learning opportunities, enabling students to develop skills which reinforce educational pathways, and build on the Institute’s educational strategy of creating programs that are related to industry requirements in the building services and electro-mechanical technologies areas.
These areas have been chosen because:
- they are traditional trades which now have emerging skill areas related to environmental sustainability, green trade skills and changing technology
- the demand for the programs is supported by national research that indicates skills shortages in these areas
- there is a growing need for green building and plumbing techniques, and the application of energy efficiency and new technology
- there is a requirement to change the current delivery methods in these programs to meet industry needs for flexible and responsive training delivery
- the project will provide an opportunity to acquire and incorporate modern industry-related technology and equipment through industry collaboration
- there are a number of students waiting for places which cannot be accommodated within existing facilities.
In welcoming the announcement, Mr Maddock thanked the Education Investment Fund and the Deputy Prime Minister.
He also recognised the substantial input from Institute staff, students, the eastern suburbs community and, in particular, the Institute’s industry supporters:
“The collaboration and input from all parts of the Institute’s community, particularly our industry partners, has been essential to the development of the proposal.
“We now look forward to working with our partners to ensure that the final design of the facility and the associated redevelopment of our programs continues to encompass innovative and creative approaches to education and training, using latest flexible delivery methods and technology and ensuring high levels of technology literacy.
“In doing so it will ensure that the Institute meets industry trends for an integrated and convergent approach to education and training in the trade skills areas”
Mr Maddock also indicated that the Institute was now looking forward to working with the Commonwealth government to achieve its vision for stage one of the Hub.