The Rudd Labor Government today announced $64.7 million for 58 new Trade Training Centres that will benefit 71 schools in New South Wales.

This investment is part of our positive plan to ensure all Australian students are given every opportunity to secure high skill, high wage jobs beyond the China mining investment boom.

It is part of a national announcement led by the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd which will see thousands of students in 225 schools across Australia benefit from new training opportunities in 137 new Trade Training Centres.

Federal Labor will continue to invest in new Trade Training Centres if re-elected to ensure young Australians gain the skills they need to compete for the jobs of tomorrow.

Trade Training Centres in schools will address skill shortages in traditional trades and emerging industries by equipping schools with the state-of-the-art industry standard facilities they need.

The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Minister for Education Bill Shorten today announced the outcome of Round Five Phase One, the next instalment of Federal Labor’s $2.5 billion, 10 year Trade Training Centres in Schools program.

The funding announced today will ensure that students at 71 secondary schools around NSW can learn skills such as, carpentry and joinery, metal fabrication, agriculture and horticulture at one of the 137 new Trade Training Centres.

These new Trade Training Centres are concrete evidence of Federal Labor’s determination to ensure every young Australian can get the skills they need to succeed, no matter what field they want to build a career in.

The Trade Training Centres in Schools program goes beyond building facilities and encourages schools to work with local businesses.

This investment is a win for businesses because Trades Training Centres help ensure students get the skills which local employers need.

Schools are encouraged to work with local employers who can support the schools with expertise, equipment and provide on the job placements, school based apprenticeships and traineeships for students.

Federal Labor has now announced funding of over $1.4 billion for more than 510 Trade Training Centres benefitting more than 1,290 secondary schools across Australia. Over 60 per cent of these schools are located in regional Australia.

Of previously announced Trade Training Centre projects, over 70 per cent have already been built – this is a great achievement considering the first funding round only opened in March 2008.

The Trade Training Centres in Schools program is targeted at increasing Year 12 or equivalent attainment and improving student career options particularly in skills shortage areas. Eligible low socio-economic secondary schools have been prioritised in funding allocations.

In addition to the $209.8 million announced today, Federal Labor will provide a further $200 million under Round Five (Phase Two) of the Trade Training Centres in Schools Program.

Funding for this program is already included in the budget.

The full list of successful new Trades Training Centres is available at: http://tinyurl.com/ttcisp-2013

SYDNEY
14 AUGUST 2013

Communications Unit: T 03 8625 5111   www.alp.org.au

Authorised by G. Wright, Australian Labor, 5/9 Sydney Avenue, Barton, ACT, 2600