Trade training gets a boost

THE official opening late last month of South West TAFE’s Colac Trade Training Centre marks the start of a new era of Vocational Education and Training (VET) for the region.

The centre which delivers automotive and carpentry courses to about 120 students is being opened by Minister for Minister for Skills & TAFE, Gayle Tierney.

CEO Mark Fidge said that South West TAFE was proud to continue VET at the Trade Training Centre with the opportunity to expand offerings in the future.

South West TAFE is investigating options for more courses based at the facility.

Last year the Victorian Government announced that South West TAFE would become the preferred provider for VET in the Colac region from 2025.

The Gordon Institute of TAFE had been providing education at the Trade Training Centre facility based at Colac Secondary College for more than 10 years.

Mr Fidge said the decision to have one dedicated TAFE servicing the region would eliminate any confusion and result in a more localised and specialist delivery to service the region’s major industries, schools and community.

“The new arrangement opens opportunities to expand existing offerings, establish more permanent and fit-for-purpose facilities; and broaden student support services,” he said.

South West TAFE has started an industry engagement consultation process to understand what training needs are required for the Colac-Otway region.

The Gordon’s students transitioned to South West TAFE for the start of the 2025 school year after a collaborative decision, guided by Mr Fidge and The Gordon CEO Joe Ormeno.

Colac regional manager Naomi Harris said South West TAFE had been delivering training at the Trade Training Centre since February and had received a positive response from students and employers.

“The students say they are feeling really well supported and we’re also getting positive feedback from employers,” Ms Harris said. “Having it all under the TAFE banner makes it easier for people to know who to go to for training and they know that it can be delivered locally.”

While the 2025 Trade Training Centre’s year has started with carpentry and automotive, rolling on from what was offered by The Gordon, Ms Harris said South West TAFE would like to expand the local offering.

“We’re looking at potentially delivering other options to support local construction and manufacturing industries, such as forklift and scissor lift operations,” she said. “It is great for Colac to have this resource to support our trades industries.”

SWTAFE first established a presence in Colac in 2017 while The Gordon provided education in Colac Otway Shire for more than 10 years at its Trade Training Centre.

In addition to the Trade Training Centre, South West TAFE will maintain its current campus and office in Bromfield. It has a longer-term goal to establish a more central facility.