Students in Broken Hill and the Far West are experiencing the opportunity to learn useful vocational skills as part of the Reaching Across Secondary Program Trade Training Centres.

The base Trade Training Centre (TTC), located at Broken Hill High School, gives secondary students the chance to earn qualifications in areas such as construction, engineering and hospitality.

The centre, which was refurbished as part of a $5,600,737 contribution from the Australian Government, celebrated an official opening today by local MP Sussan Ley, on behalf of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Scott Ryan.

Funding for the Broken Hill TTC has resulted in a revamped metals and engineering workshop, upgrade to kitchen facilities and newly installed video conferencing and smart-board facilities.

“The Australian Government is committed to ensuring vocational training meets the needs of industry and employers and to providing students with training in areas where there are skill shortages,” Senator Ryan said.

Welcoming the Commonwealth’s ongoing commitment to vocational training, Ms Ley noted “the new facilities here enable students in the Far West the best chance to learn important workplace skills”.

“Skills training through secondary school allows students to pursue further training after school, or to enter the workplace. For many of them, learning a trade can be the key to a real job in a wide range of industries, from hospitality and tourism, to construction or carpentry.”

“I congratulate all of the school communities for their foresight and cooperation to get this centre up and running”, Ms Ley concluded.