TRINITY Anglican College is helping bridge the construction industry skills shortage with the opening of the recently completed trades centre on Thursday.
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Member for Farrer Sussan Ley officially opened the $1.5 million centre at the school before performing the same duties at The Scots School, which also benefited from federal government funding to establish a similar facility.
The total federal government contribution to the Albury independent schools trades skills project was $2.16 million.
Trinity added $500,000 to its $1 million government contribution and enabled it to build two workshops, a machine room, technology laboratory and kitchen and changeroom facilities.
The school also invested in $150,000 worth of equipment including laser cutter, band saw, drum sanders, dust extractor, thicknesser and work benches.
Ten students are already in the program which will allow construction carpentry students to attain Cert II qualifications.
Trinity principal Steven O'Connor said 10 students were already using the trade skills centre with the potential to grow to classes of 24.
"It is a really important facility for us to extend our educational offerings to students.
"With an additional workshop and proximity of the technology lab to access the design software, we are able to timetable students from year 12 right down to year 5 into this facility for our design and technology subjects.
"As part of our application we had to provide a whole information regarding labor shortage.
"Construction companies in the region were indicating there was an increasing shortage of young people coming into the construction industry in the area of carpentry in particular."
The trade skills centre was designed by architects Clarke Keller and built by Southern Cross Developers.
The Scots School building will equip year 7 to 12 students with sewing, e-learning, food service and barista skills.
Ms Ley represented parliamentary secretary for education, Senator Scott Ryan.