Responding to the surging demand for construction courses in the Bathurst region, the NSW Government has allocated $1.5 million to enhance facilities at TAFE NSW Lithgow.
This funding forms part of a broader $300 million initiative aimed at modernising facilities and upgrading equipment across 120 TAFE NSW campuses statewide by June 2024, the government said in a media release.
In a significant development, TAFE NSW Lithgow will introduce Carpentry courses for the first time in 2024, supported by an $80,000 investment to establish a dedicated workshop for carpentry apprentices.
An additional $119,000 has been earmarked for new equipment to bolster welding and metal fabrication courses.
Steven Whan, the NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education, underscored the importance of these upgraded facilities in addressing the burgeoning demand for skilled workers in the construction and manufacturing sectors.
“TAFE NSW is providing learners with the skills needed for the next generation of construction and manufacturing workers in Lithgow,” remarked Whan.
Highlighting construction and manufacturing as two of the region’s top five most sought-after industries, Whan emphasised the government’s commitment to TAFE NSW, ensuring it is well-equipped to meet the demands of the local workforce.
To address the growing demand for construction courses in Western Sydney, Whan revealed plans to establish a construction hub at TAFE NSW Lithgow, alleviating the need for students to travel significant distances to neighbouring campuses.
“Local students won’t need to travel up to 40 minutes to Bathurst or 1.5 hours to Nirimba to complete their carpentry course. With our investment in the assets here at TAFE NSW Lithgow, we’re establishing Lithgow as a hub for industry and manufacturing,” he said.
Moreover, TAFE NSW has forged partnerships with prominent local employers such as Thales, Energy Australia, and Centennial Coal to deliver tailored training programs to apprentices through its Skills Centre. These initiatives aim to accelerate learning while enhancing apprentices’ versatility and job prospects.
“Through our investment in TAFE NSW, the NSW Government’s commitment to delivering a workforce with the skills Lithgow needs,” Whan concluded.
