Doors open at new TAFE campus

PREMIER Daniel Andrews was in town last Wednesday to officially unveil the new Bendigo TAFE city campus.

The $60 million project brings two new buildings, refurbished heritage buildings and a new home for the Bendigo Technical Education Campus to the 167-year-old site.

Mr Andrews said the TAFE redevelopment and ongoing works for the new GovHub and Law Courts indicate the region’s growth and potential to thrive.

“We came to government seven years ago on a platform that we would save TAFE, there’d been some terrible damage done to this sector, courses gone, fees increased, staff sacked, institutes with a real sense of uncertainty of their future,” he said.

“TAFE’s providing the graduates, the qualifications, the people with the skillsets and the ability to keep learning in that modular way, in that critical way.

“They are all the skills and people our economy needs today and our future success will be built on.”

A new learning hub, a training and job support centre, an Indigenous education centre and more teaching spaces make up the upgrade, which also includes a restaurant and beauty and hair salon open to the public.

“It’s fantastic to see this new campus open, I hope all Bendigo locals can head down and support our TAFE with a haircut, a beauty treatment or a great meal in the public facilities,” Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said.

New courses in health, Indigenous support, business, hospitality and tourism, education, beauty, creative industries and IT will be available next year as a result of the upgrade.

Bendigo TAFE alumni and local architect part of Architectus Jayden Peacock led the design of the new facilities.

He said a key focus of the upgrade was combining the historical and future importance of the campus for the region.

“I grew up in Bendigo and attended the TAFE, so this was a project close to my heart,” he said.

“The design of the new city campus aims to empower students to become agents in their education, their training and their careers by creating spaces that cater to all kinds of learners, from hands-on practical environments to high energy collaborative settings, and quiet zones.

“I’m excited for students and staff to experience these uplifting and energising education environments that will help them forge strong learning partnerships with industry and with each other.”