Trade training skills to be the focus of new facility at St Edmunds College

STUDENTS at St Edmunds College will be able to gain practical skills through the creation of a specialised trade training centre at the school.

Ipswich City Council Planning and Development Committee Chairperson Councillor Paul Tully said council had approved an application from the college for the establishment of a trade training centre.

Cr Tully said the new centre would be constructed on a site which includes an automotive annexe and a building construction annexe.

He said an existing fabrication store also would be relocated as a result of the planned development. 

"The automotive annexe is a single storey building located directly to the south of the college's existing tennis courts and north of the technology and manual arts buildings.

"The new trade training centre will feature five vehicle service bays, a tools room, technical and theory rooms, project and plant rooms and a reception area."

The building construction annexe will also enclose an existing outdoor activities indoors in a fenced and locked area.

Cr Tully said the new centre was being established in response to the Federal Government's Building the Education Revolution (BER) funding grants.

"The BER is a $16.2 billion program and part f of the Australian Government's $42 billion Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan which aims to provide economic stimulus by supporting employment through local infrastructure projects."

Division 7 Councillor Andrew Antoniolli said the new facility would provide the college's students with the opportunity to gain skills to later help them as they enter the workforce after school.

"Hands-on training is one of the best ways in which to make St Edmunds students job ready and I'm sure the students will appreciate the active learning environment which the college is creating for them."

Cr Antoniolli said the college had advised that there would be no increase in staff or student numbers as a result of the development .

He said the existing carpark located east of the new facility and at the northern end of the driveway entry/exit would be upgraded as part of the project.

Cr Antoniolli said the upgrade would involve removing the existing internal concrete driveway,  constructing a new internal driveway from the carpark to the proposed new buildings and formal carpark entry from the driveway and enhancements to the existing parking area.