Woy Woy to get IT centre

Specialist facilities for internet, multi-media and software development training are to be built at Woy Woy.

The $567,000 facilities will provide TAFE information and communication technology courses to senior students at the Woy Woy campus of the new Brisbane Waters Secondary College.

The courses will be offered in partnership with the Hunter Institute of Technology.

A Business Services Skills Centre will also provide business services training courses outside school hours.

Announcing the facilities would be built at the "Woy Woy Senior Campus", Education and Training minister Mr John Aquilina said: "In the Government's Central Coast Moving Forward strategy, the Peninsula is identified as a focus area for industry growth.

"Students and the community will now have access to the training necessary to support this infant industry on the Central Coast."

Member for Peats, Ms Marie Andrews, said the centre was "a wonderful acquisition for the Peninsula".

"The good thing about it is that it is not just for students at school but will provide TAFE course in the evening for adults as well.

"It will be the biggest skills centre of its type located in a government school in NSW.

"The Peninsula is becoming recognised as an IT centre.

"This will further enhance that recognition.

"There has been a lot of pressure from the community for a long time to establish a TAFE on the Peninsula."

The announcement was welcomed by local IT businesses and the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.

Cec Bucello, August 10