The $40 million upgrade of North Metropolitan TAFE’s Balga campus is taking shape, with the project’s design finalised and tender advertised for its construction.
The redevelopment includes a new three-storey training facility to provide a world-class learning environment, replacing 22 rundown transportable classrooms at the northern suburbs campus, which was originally built in the 1970s.
The new facility will be used to deliver training across building and construction, community services, general education and other areas, as well as provide enhanced student services and staff amenities with student breakout spaces, meeting rooms, conference rooms and additional parking.
There will be a mix of modern learning spaces, including an interactive student learning hub (contemporary library), contemporary and technology enabled classrooms, computer laboratories and a large future trades training workshop to accommodate ‘smart building’ and emerging construction technologies.
The new building will also accommodate the Balga Jobs and Skills Centre, a free, one-stop shop for the local community to access professional advice on careers, training and employment opportunities.
Perth architecture studio Hassell designed the new Balga facility, which is one of 14 major capital works projects taking place at TAFE colleges across the State as part of the McGowan Government’s $215.8 million investment in upgrading essential infrastructure.
Tenders for the project close on July 12, 2022. Construction is expected to be completed mid-2024.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
“We are investing heavily in training infrastructure across Western Australia to support building a skilled local workforce for now and into the future
“North Metropolitan TAFE’s Balga campus is one of the leading facilities for training apprentices in the building and construction sector, which is a priority for the State Government.
“Once completed, the modern new facilities will support the State’s construction industry by training the next generation of workers at a critical time.
“This is also a significant project for the northern suburbs, creating a first-class learning facility for students across a range of areas, as well as numerous WA jobs through its construction.”
As stated by Mirrabooka MLA Meredith Hammat:
“This project is a huge investment in our local community. Quality training facilities will help people find quality jobs, so it’s fantastic to have a range of opportunities, in state-of-the-art facilities, on our doorstep.
“It’s exciting to see the McGowan Government’s vision for the upgraded Balga campus becoming a reality, and I look forward to it welcoming its first students following completion.”
