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Karratha Education and Training Campus launched |
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Written by Alan Richardson
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 Pilbara TAFE Director Bill McDonald, KSHS Principal Ray McMilln and Filippo Pellegrino from the Australian Technical College Pilbara. Representatives from Pilbara TAFE, Karratha Senior High School and the Australian Technical College - Pilbara met with local business and industry last Wednesday night to showcase the new facilities at the Karratha Education and Training Campus.
The newly-built campus, which will host Year 11 and 12 students from Karratha High School in 2010, will bring together senior secondary education, vocational training and the tertiary sector.
Pilbara TAFE Director, Bill McDonald says that the co-location is the culmination of seven years of planning, with involvement from all three education sectors plus the community and the Shire of Roebourne.
“Next year’s intake of high school students marks a milestone for the Campus and will signal the start of a new era of opportunities for young people in the region,” says Bill.
“The co-location will provide a seamless pathway for those students wishing to take a vocational stream in achieving their WACE or for those who wish to access University once they have a TAFE qualification under their belt.”
Ray McMillan, Principal of Karratha High School, agreed that the multi-sectoral approach would benefit both current and future students.
“By working collaboratively, we’re able to provide better facilities and improved services, along with an enhanced curriculum,” said Ray.
“Campus Client Services will exhibit a ‘one stop shop’ for access to campus services while the library, Information Technology networks, canteen, trade workshops, student support services and the Walkington Theatre will be available to all enrolled students.”
From the Australian Technical College’s perspective, the move signified a positive step forward for supporting school-based apprenticeship training in Karratha.
“In addition to giving students more choices, the co-location will allow us to work as a united voice with industry,” says Dr Nancy Rees, CEO.
“Through collaboration we can directly shape our delivery to meet the needs of the region and maximise training and employment outcomes for all students.”
The new campus is just the start of exciting developments on the site.
The Shire of Roebourne has a vision to develop the area into an holistic learning and leisure centre incorporating swimming pools, undercover netball courts, tennis club and crèche by 2020.
In the nearer future, Pilbara TAFE also has plans to build a new trade training centre – with building due to start in 2010.
The co-location will officially begin next year with 230 Yr 11 and 12 students arriving on campus in February. Years 8, 9 and 10 are expected to be re-located by 2013. |
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