A new Trade Centre and Student Support Hub at the Dandenong Campus of Chisholm Institute was officially opened by The Hon. Gayle Tierney, Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education, and Gabrielle Williams MP, Member for Dandenong.

Five buildings, erected in the 1980s, at the Dandenong campus have been revitalised to create a $6.235 million Trade Centre, to provide contemporary plumbing, carpentry and electrical training areas, which will simulate scenarios that Chisholm trade students face in the workforce.

While the $1,169,739 Student Support Hub offers Chisholm students a new lounge area, amenities for disabled students, plus an Indigenous engagement unit to help Koorie students access the services they need.

The Student Support Hub will also be used by Chisholm in its work to help prevent family violence.

Chisholm Institute CEO, Stephen Varty, said he was delighted to welcome Minister Tierney and Gabrielle Williams MP to Chisholm to officially open the new Dandenong Trade Centre and Student Support Hub.

“At Chisholm, our aim is to deliver quality, practical education to ensure our students are job-ready when they graduate. These new industry-aligned facilities will help inspire student success and enhance the learning and support experience of our students now and into the future,” said Mr Varty.

“As Chisholm is conveniently located in Melbourne’s south-east, the manufacturing heartland and key residential growth corridor of Victoria, we hope these new contemporary learning spaces will attract and motivate aspiring tradies to chase their calling at Chisholm.”

Chisholm Institute has seen a 10 per cent rise in trade students over the past three years, with plumbing and engineering among the most popular courses. The number of female trade students has risen by 7 per cent year on year.

Minister Tierney echoed the sentiments of Mr Varty.

“We’re giving more Victorians more opportunities – while supporting industry and the economy – which is why we’re continuing to back the TAFE and training sector through projects like the new Dandenong Trade Centre,” said Minister Tierney.

While Gabrielle Williams MP, said “it’s no use training Victoria’s future workforce in a relic of the past. That’s why we have delivered the new Dandenong Trade Centre, which will give local students the tools they need on the pathway to a great career.”

Construction of these industry-aligned facilities commenced in February 2021 and was completed in June 2021.

Chisholm Institute is the largest apprenticeship training provider in Victoria aiming to provide quality, practical education that enhances the social and economic futures of individuals, industry and communities.

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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