New trades training facility opens at TAFE NSW Miller
A new $7.6 million carpentry, construction and electrical training facility has opened at TAFE NSW Miller to support future growth. See the pictures.
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Construction, carpentry and electrical students will benefit from new learning spaces and specialist facilities following a $7.6 million upgrade at TAFE NSW Miller.
The campus now includes an expanded workshop space for carpentry students, four modern classrooms, a student amenity area and pole rescue facilities.
It is also home to the TAFE NSW’s second and largest electrical pole farm in the state, which will be used by students being trained in electrical supply.
Featuring different types of poles, the farm creates a real-world environment for students learning skills such as how to maintain poles.
TAFE NSW western Sydney electrotechnology team leader Lee Wilton said students from across the state will make use of the facilities at the Miller campus.
“We’re finding that the demand has grown. So a lot of larger companies now can’t deliver their own training. Their internal training they used to do themselves and we’d get some of it. Now we’re finding because they’ve got so many guys needing (to) upskill, they need to come here, so they’re looking for an outside provider. That’s why they’re coming here.”
Mr Wilton said the electrical pole farm was state-of-the-art and represented a real-life scenario with poles among roads, buildings and trees.
“I think it’s fantastic for western Sydney students.”
NSW Skills and Tertiary Education Minister Geoff Lee, who was joined by Holsworthy state Liberal MP Melanie Gibbons on a tour of the facility, said students will begin learning in the new spaces this month.
“The NSW Government is significantly investing in TAFE NSW to enable our public training provider to grow as a world-class, innovative and flexible public provider that is delivering the new technologies and skills to support the NSW economy,” Mr Lee said.
“The new state-of-the-art facility will provide integrated specialist facilities to equip students with the job-ready skills local employers are calling for here in Miller and across western Sydney.”
Carpentry apprentice Andrew Palfrey, 19, began a four-year apprenticeship at the Miller campus as a Year 11 student, training one day a week while also completing his senior studies.
“I’ve always loved building and working with my hands and building things,” he said.
The Casula resident encouraged those interested in becoming an apprentice to start while they’re at school so they can determine what their passions are at an early stage.
Starting early also shaved off training time when students finished school, he said.