See the plans for Mount Gambier’s new $35m technical college coming to the city’s educational precinct
Plans for a stunning regional technical college have been unveiled, depicting an angular building flooded with natural light inspired by local tourist attractions.
Education
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Plans have been revealed for the new Mount Gambier technical college that will be built next year and opened for business in 2026, providing high school students in the South-East with a head start in careers in four of Australia’s most in- demand industries.
The $35m school will built upon an existing carpark at the Mount Gambier TAFE campus on Wireless Rd, which shares a site with the local UniSA campus.
It will be the third addition to the area commonly referred to as the Mount Gambier Education Precinct.
In a separate application, 118 parking spaces will be added behind the TAFE building to accommodate parking at the site.
The technical college will provide students in Year 10, 11 and 12 with access to industry relevant training in agri-tech (for careers in forestry, agriculture and manufacturing), early childhood and education, health and social support, and multi-trades (for careers as plumbers, builders or electricians).
The Department of Education said the programs on offer were selected as a result of ongoing industry consultation and future economic opportunities for the Limestone Coast.
Education Minister Blair Boyer said each of SA’s five technical colleges has a specific design and study focus so that it complements the local region and the future job opportunities for students graduating.
“The agri-tech focus is very specific to the Limestone Coast region and won’t be taught anywhere else – leaning on the expertise of the forestry sector in the region,” he said.
“There is also a great mix of early education, multi-trades and health – all vital areas where we need thousands of skilled young workers in the future.”
Students from both public and private schools will have the opportunity to attend the college with the site able to accommodate a maximum of 100 students at any given time.
Student accommodation consisting of 44 beds will also be built in addition to the education facility to allow remote students to stay on campus while they are studying.
Year levels will alternate attendance on a weekly basis, resulting in only one year level being on campus each week.
The college will be open between 7:00am until 10:00pm on weekdays – it is anticipated that adults will have access to the facility after school hours and on weekends.
There will be 15 full-time-employed staff located on campus, including three supervisors who to oversee accommodation services.
Plans for the two-storey building show the ground floor will house teaching spaces, administration and reception areas while the second floor will host the student accommodation facilities including bedrooms, bathrooms and meal areas.
The building will feature locally sourced materials and internal/external colour sections inspired by the Mount Gambier Region and its iconic Blue Lake and many sinkholes.
The unveiling of these plans for the college comes as the state government opens the enrolment process for all five technical colleges being built across SA, three located in metropolitan Adelaide, one in Port Augusta and one in Mount Gambier.
It aims to have all operating by 2026 at a cost of $20.
Mount Gambier’s Education Precinct Leader Peter Gandolfi said the programs available at the technical college would complement options offered by TAFE SA and UniSA.
“The technical college will be a great addition to this precinct,” Mr Gandolfi said.
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