Great Southern TAFE's Katanning campus opened

24/7/01
People in Katanning and surrounding towns now have access to a modern $2.24 million TAFE campus with the opening today of new facilities for Great Southern TAFE.
Agriculture and Great Southern Minister Kim Chance, who opened the new facilities for Training Minister John Kobelke, said the campus was developed after extensive planning and community consultation.
"The Katanning campus means that people from within a 100km radius will not have to travel to Perth for their vocational education and training," Mr Chance said.
"Katanning's business and commercial heart has been enhanced by bringing the student population together on one campus, rather than having them at three different sites.
"There are teleconferencing facilities and people attending the new campus can study arts, science, general trades, computer studies and horticulture training.
"It will also provide a focus for industry and the community to have greater links with students and help provide skills, which should lead to jobs."
Mr Chance said that Great Southern TAFE previously leased three facilities in Katanning and others were leased in outlying areas when they were needed.
"This was not an ideal situation for the smooth operation of a regional TAFE, which was having to respond to an increasing demand for training," he said.
"An increasing demand for technological support for training and the need for primary producers to be at the forefront of technology can be met from this purpose-built facility."
The Federal Government contributed funding to the Katanning TAFE campus.
Media contact: Steve Manchee on 9222 9211