The start of training at the new Armadale TAFE is ‘imminent’ according to the state government.
It’s been 18 months since ground was broken on the estimated $39 million project.
The gardens have been planted and the sign appointed on the shiny new building on the corner of Church Avenue and Whitehead Street.
Inside, however, workers are still busy completing the fit-out.
One worker revealed to the Examiner that the building should be completed next month.
If that’s the case, that would mean an earlier than anticipated unveiling, with the original prediction for the ribbon-cutting said to be late this year.
But the government is keeping tight-lipped about the progress. When we asked Minister for Training and Workforce Development Simone McGurk to confirm the completion date, we were told by a spokesperson that “more details” would be provided “ahead of an opening event being planned in the second half of 2024”.
When complete, the facility will deliver training across a range of areas, including childcare, community services, business, education support and general education.
It will have specialist training areas for information technology, emerging industries and cyber security, and house the Armadale Jobs and Skills Centre, connecting the local community with training and employment opportunities.
The new campus will also consolidate vocational training in the area, replacing multiple leased premises that contain ageing facilities.
The stand-alone centre will almost double current student capacity and create a vibrant community hub close to shops, cafés and the Armadale train station.
“Training delivered at the current campus on Commerce Avenue will relocate to the new Armadale campus upon completion,” a spokesperson for the government said.
However, there was no answer provided when we asked what would become of the vacated Commerce Avenue TAFE facilities.
