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$5.5 million grant for learning hub
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Posted: 22/06/2009
The first phase of a new learning facility for Wodonga has been confirmed through a Federal Government Teaching and Learning Capital grant awarded to Wodonga TAFE. The TAFE has been provided with $5.5 million towards the establishment of a sustainable skills learning centre.
Wodonga Council and Wodonga TAFE have established a partnership where the TAFE will provide the funds and the council will provide land and in-kind support in this first phase of an ambitious project designed to establish an innovative major learning environment.
Contributing partners to the project also include the Wodonga Chamber of Commerce, Murray Hume Business Enterprise Centre, North East Greenhouse Alliance and North East Water.
“This is the first phase of what we are calling a major learning commons,” said Michael O'Loughlin, Chief Executive Officer of Wodonga TAFE. “This is a space where people can come and participate in learning in all of its different forms. Figuratively speaking, it is a learning environment without walls.”
“The facility will also provide a location for all of the partners to integrate and serve their various publics in a way that promotes renewed life and vibrancy for business and learning in Wodonga,” Mr O'Loughlin said.
“This project is also a fantastic foundation for the future. These partnerships and links multiply the possibilities open to our regional organisations that would otherwise not be possible on our own,” he said.
Wodonga Mayor Cr Mark Byatt said the project would be a major boost to the learning facilities which Wodonga offers.
“The development of the central business district has, and will continue to be, a top priority for the council - particularly with the imminent removal of the railway line from the city centre,” he said.
“This redevelopment will add vibrancy to the civic precinct and will maximise current and future business and community visitations to the site.”
“Into the future , the precinct could have a number of other facilities for the community including arts centre and café providing community meeting and social spaces all serviced by accessible transport options. Currently in this precinct, a civic centre, youth services and senior citizens' facilities exist alongside the regional library.
“The opportunity to reinvent these spaces to promote community learning and participation with a sustainability and green skills focus integrates well with our current community and council vision for a clean, green, sustainable city.”
The sustainable skills centre will have two points of focus. Firstly, it will develop ‘future' skills that will help direct our region's business and industry in order to achieve sustainable outcomes.
Secondly, it will be a centre for sustainable skills development. ‘Green skills' are urgently required in order to ensure viability into the future. The centre will be charged with ensuring that sustainability is ingrained in new industry development. This will be achieved through bringing expertise together in new ways through collaboration and involvement. This may include active involvement of other educational institutions, including universities.
