A new TAFE campus in Armadale is one step closer to reality, with the designs for the $33.8 million project finalised and tender advertised for its construction.
South Metropolitan TAFE will deliver industry relevant training across a range of areas, including childcare, community services, mental health, business, education support and general education at the purpose-built campus.
The contemporary facilities will also have specialist areas for logistics, information technology, emerging industries and cyber security.
The new training campus will enable South Metropolitan TAFE to consolidate vocational training in the area, with learning currently occurring across three ageing leased premises in the Armadale town centre.
Designed by Armstrong Collective architects, the campus will be a vibrant community hub and help revitalise the local area. It will be located on Church Avenue within the town centre and a short distance from the Armadale train station.
The multi-level building will have state-of-the-art facilities, including simulated childcare for early learning education, classrooms, computer laboratories, simulated office space, meeting rooms, a crèche and a student hub, which will include food and drink preparation areas.
The Armadale Jobs and Skills Centre will also relocate to the new campus, connecting the local community with training and employment opportunities.
The construction of the campus will create local jobs and once the new campus is open, it will deliver a boost for nearby businesses, with the increased student capacity bringing more people into the town centre.
Construction is expected to commence in late 2022, with training to commence at the campus in Semester 2, 2024.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
“The new $33.8 million purpose-built TAFE campus will deliver a first-class learning environment in Armadale.
“With state-of-the-art training facilities, this campus will provide more opportunities for locals, particularly young people, and significantly boost capacity to put students on pathways into long-term jobs.
“This project is part of the WA Recovery Plan, with the McGowan Government investing a record $215.8 million to fund infrastructure upgrades across the State’s TAFE colleges.”
As stated by Armadale MLA Dr Tony Buti:
“I’ve long advocated for the new Armadale TAFE campus, which will help train the next generation of essential workers, preparing students for jobs of the future.
“Not only will the new campus make studying locally a more attractive option, it will also become more integrated with the local community, aiding the continued revitalisation of Armadale.
“This project is key to the future of Armadale and those who live here, so I look forward to the new campus welcoming its first students and boosting training opportunities in Perth’s south-east.”
