Media Release

Federal Leader of Katter’s Australian Party and Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has welcomed nearly $3 million to build trade training facilities at two Hinchinbrook Shire secondary schools.

Mr Katter said Gilroy Santa Maria College at Ingham, and Abergowrie’s St Teresa’s Agricultural College, will receive $1.5m and $1.2m respectively.

The funding for Gilroy Santa Maria College is to construct a fully-equipped engineering workshop to give students access to certificate I and II engineering qualifications, aimed at addressing skills shortages in the trades of fitter, metal machinist and toolmaker.

St Teresa’s Agricultural College will use the funding to establish an indigenous health care trade training centre, which includes the construction of and provision of equipment for a theory room, an examination and demonstration room, a technology hub and an office, where students can study for allied health certificate II qualifications to address local demand for skills shortages in occupations in indigenous health care.

The funding is part of the national Trade Training Centres in Schools program, which aims to give every Australian secondary student access to industry-standard trade training facilities that enhance pathways into vocational careers.

The program has provided for $2.5 billion over 10 years to enable secondary schools to seek funding for major capital works or upgrades of existing facilities and industry-standard equipment.

Further information and enquiries about the program can be found online at www.tradetrainingcentres.deewr.gov.au or by emailing tradetraining@deewr.gov.au or by phoning the information telephone hotline on 1300 363 079.