Premier Mark McGowan tours Central Regional TAFE’s creative industries hub upgrade

Geraldton trainees and apprentices rubbed shoulders with Mark McGowan yesterday as he inspected work on the multimillion-dollar upgrade to Central Regional TAFE.

The Premier toured the visual arts building which will become a state-of-the-art creative industries hub thanks to $4 million of State Government funding. The project was designed by local architecture firm Eastman Poletti Sherwood Architects and is being built by local company Crothers Construction, employing about 200 workers.

Mr McGowan met apprentices working in the metals and automotive building and arts students before turning the sod on the development.

“This will mean a new creative centre for lots of the courses here at Geraldton TAFE including ceramics, glasswork and painting,” he said.

“Not everyone can work in mining or in agriculture or manufacturing, creative industries of course provide a lot of employment and opportunities for people.

“The existing building is 40 or 50 years old, it’s past its use-by date and this $4m will ensure state-of-the-art workshops and studios for the students to undertake their work.”

Enrolments in TAFE courses across the Mid West have increased by 32 per cent since semester two of 2020, with construction is expected to be completed within a year.

The Premier, who will leave Geraldton today, also inspected works to combat erosion on the Drummond Cove foreshore and attended an event opening the Shore Leave Festival for stakeholders.