$17M major upgrade for North Coast high school

STUDENTS will be job-ready when they graduate from this local high school, thanks to new specialist training facilities.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro makes an announcement about funding for Tweed River High School. Picture: Jessica Lamb

UPDATE: A TWEED high school is set to become the second trial site in NSW for a new vocational education program that brings a $17 million facilities upgrade.

Tweed River High School was chosen to trial the Vocational Education Training from 2023 to see students graduate job ready and put a dent in the region's unemployment rate.

Specialist training facilities will be built and discussions around potential industry focus areas are taking place, according to NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro who announced the cash splash at the school on Tuesday.

"Broader consultation with the local community has already started," he said.

Vice captain Adam Lewis, 17, principal Leisa Conroy and school captain Rubin Duroux, 17, at the announcement of the $17 million commitment to upgrade the Tweed River High School to include specialist vocational education facilities. Photo: Jessica Lamb. Picture: Jessica Lamb

It is anticipated stakeholders including local industry, employers, school leadership, parent and community groups will also get the chance to have their say in the new facility as well as Public Schools NSW Registered Training Organisations and TAFE NSW.

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the school was chosen because of its regional location, as well as its central geography to the near Kingscliff TAFE and Southern Cross University campus.

Vice captain Adam Lewis, 17, principal Leisa Conroy and school captain Rubin Duroux, 17, NSW deputy Premier John Barilaro, Member for Tweed Geoff Provest and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell at the announcement of the $17 million commitment to upgrade the Tweed River High School to include specialist vocational education facilities. Photo: Jessica Lamb. Picture: Jessica Lamb

State Member for Tweed Geoff Provest added it was also ideally located for students looking to pursue vocational pathways into employment near the Tweed Valley Skills Centre as well as the Tweed Valley Hospital Development.

Other state high schools in the area - including Kingscliff High School, Murwillumbah High School and Wollumbin High School - will also be able to use the facilities at the Tweed Heads school.

Tweed River High School vice-captain Adam Lewis, 17, said he was currently taking three vocational training subjects in construction, hospitality and metals and engineering.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro at the announcement of the $17 million commitment to upgrade the Tweed River High School to include specialist vocational education facilities. Photo: Jessica Lamb. Picture: Jessica Lamb

The Carool teen said while he was keeping his options for after school open, he was leaning towards an apprenticeship which his education would help with.

Likewise, school captain Rubin Duroux, 17, is also taking a hospitality subject in the hopes even if he attends university he will be able to work in the service industry while studying.

"This has already helped me when I went for a local cafe job and they saw it on my resume," he said.

Seven Hills High School in Sydney was the first trial site for the vocational education school program announced earlier this year.

A Tweed River High School student learning vocational skills while still at school. Photo: Dario Gardiman. Picture: Dario Gardiman

EARLIER:

HIGH school students on the North Coast will benefit from a $17 million commitment to upgrade Tweed River High School to include specialist vocational education facilities.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the school will operate with a renewed focus on vocational education training from 2023 as part of the NSW Government's Vocational Schools Initiative.

"Specialist training facilities will be built at the school and preparations for the upgrade have already begun with a discussion about potential industry focus areas," he said.

"Broader consultation with the local community has already started."