CDU’s new trade training centre opens for business
Two teenage carpentry apprentices are among the first users of a state-of-the-art training facility. Read where it is.
Northern Territory
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The launch of Charles Darwin Univserity’s new trades training centre on Thursday could not have come at a better time for first-year carpentry apprentices Dallas Caulton and Freedom Kelly.
The teenagers are among the first two apprentices learning their trade at the new $10 million trade training facility at the university’s Casuarina campus.
Dallas from Darwin and Freedom from Tennant Creek are the future of the Territory’s construction industry as the economy emerges after almost a decade of economic stagnation.
They were among about 100 guests at Thursday’s launch of the new centre.
Both followed older brothers into trades and know that upon completion of their apprenticeships in 2027, they’ll be skilled-up and employable for the rest of their lives.
Dallas is apprenticed with Darwin-based construction firm CollNT and is looking forward to learning his trade in the state-of-the-art facility.
“It’s pretty cool,” he said.
“There’s a lot of space and we'll be able to fit the third, second and first year apprentices in one big building so it’s pretty good.”
Freedom comes from a long line of carpenters and his brother owns Mahuta Constructions, the Tennant Creek-based company where he works.
“Everone’s got a trade in my family,” he said.
“Growing up in New Zealand around the tools sort of made me really want to step forward and be a carpenter.”
CDU TAFE chief executive and pro vice chancellor Michael Hamilton said apprentice intake had grown about 10 per cent annually over the past five years, with 2178 apprentices on the books last year - of which about 1000 were first year - and about 2300 were expected in 2025.
“It’s a multi-purpose facility and will be used initially for carpentry and roof plumbing and some of those enabling short courses like NT White Card, Working from Heights, and pre-vocational stuff with VET school kids for plumbing pathways,” he said.
“The university has enhanced trades training and the student experience by providing high-quality equipment, industry-relevant curriculum and collaborations with leading trade professionals.”
The 2400 sqm, two-storey complex was built by local company Aspire and has a heavy equipment precinct, an assembly area, workshop space, an industrial sand pit and classrooms.
Aspire director Lisa Jenkinson said the company was proud to contribute to skilling-up new workers.
“Construction is a significant part of the NT, and knowing firs-hand the impact the shortage of skilled tradesperson has on the industry, local businesses throughout the NT will undoubtedly benefit from this facility.”
CDU vice-chancellor Professor Scott Bowman said the centre would be used to deliver in-demand courses to support trades.
“We want to support the construction industry here in the Territory with practical courses that can help address skills shortages, filling the need for qualified apprentices in trades that are essential for housing and infrastructure developments.”
Education and Training Minister Jo Hersey, a qualified hairdresser who is one of five tradies in her family, said the new facility would train builders to help construct houses under her government’s $50,000 Home Grown Territory grants.
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