Work starts on trade school

Construction of the new $2 million Trade School at Brisbane Water Secondary College Woy Woy Campus has begun.

Health-related courses, including nursing and aged care, will be the focus of the new trade school which is expected to be completed by January next year.

Minister for the Central Coast Mr John Della Bosca and Member for Gosford Ms Marie Andrews joined college staff and students in attending a sod turning ceremony on the site of the new facility on June 10.

Mr Della Bosca said the trade school would allow Central Coast students to specialise in health-related courses in partnership with Hunter Central Coast Institute of TAFE, Newcastle University and the Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health while completing their HSC studies.

"Construction will also boost the local economy, creating jobs as work gets underway."

Ms Andrews said the new facility would incorporate a simulated hospital ward, a general learning space, a medical administration centre and large storage facility.

She said the new trade school would help fill the shortage of nursing and allied health professionals and encourage more people to choose the profession.

"The new school will combine industry-standard equipment and practices with Board of Studies approved curriculum.

"In this way we are ensuring students can graduate with skills for a variety of pathways into health training as well as an HSC and possible credit towards undergraduate courses.

"Importantly, it will further enhance educational opportunities for young people on the Woy Woy Peninsula and beyond.

"It will play a major role in encouraging students to embark upon a very worthwhile and satisfying career."

The new trade school is expected to begin enrolling students in term one of next year's school year.

Construction of the new facility will be completed by Belmont building company Parmenter Jiear Builders Pty Ltd

College principal Mr Stephen Harris said the college was delighted for the new facility to be built on the Woy Woy campus and looked forward to the partnerships with Ms Andrews and Mr Della Bosca in seeing the project succeed.

"The trade school will make a huge difference for the students of the Brisbane Water College area."

Kerry Crocker from the Hunter Central Coast Institute of TAFE and Terri Parker CEO of Peninsula Village also attended the sod-turning ceremony.

The Peninsula Village will be instrumental in providing school-based traineeships in aged care and hospitality for college students, according to Mr Harris.

"Terri has shown a commitment and dedication not just to health and aged care in our community but also to local students by taking on 10 of our students for school-based traineeships," Mr Harris said.

"The retirement village has also undertaken a mentor program for students at the Umina Campus."

Mr Harris said the school was in the process of organising partnerships with Newcastle University and the Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service to provide further training for students.

Press release, 10 Jun 2009 John Della Bosca, Minister for the Central Coast Press release, 10 Jun 2009 Marie Andrews, Member for Gosford Speech, 10 Jun 2009 Stephen Harris, Brisbane Water Secondary College