Tech school welcomedBy Jim Mynard

PREMIER Steve Bracks’ announcement last week that one of four State Government secondary technical schools would be built at Berwick was met with universal approval.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato said the college would be built on the Chisholm Institute campus at Clyde Road.
“I am thrilled that this educational option is going to be open to young people in this fastgrowing corridor. I know that there are families who have been asking for an alternative to be put in place for those who do not want to pursue academic university studies,” she said.
Chisholm Institute acting chief executive Marie Dumais welcomed the announcement and said the college would give students access to hightech modern facilities.
Ms Dumais said they would be provided with trade teachers with current industry knowledge and equipment aligned to industry standards.
Casey mayor Kevin Bradford said the college would be a wonderful boost to young people and businesses from the growth corridor.
Casey chief executive Mike Tyler said because of Casey’s growing population and high number of young people, there was a need for ongoing opportunities for learning, business and employment to be competitive n the workplace.
“A leadingedge technical education centre at Berwick will enable students to gain important vocational skills close to home,” he said.
Berwick Village Chamber of Commerce president Michael Hall said: “This is just what was needed in this area and I applaud the decision. This is outstanding and will provide opportunity for educational training courses we need in this region.
“Commonsense has prevailed on this one. Not all our 40,000 very young people will want to go off to university to be brain surgeons. We need people who can lay bricks, build houses and fix cars,” he said.
Ms Dumais said the school would offer preapprenticeships, apprenticeships, traineeships, and Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) programs.
Ms Lobato said Berwick’s new technical school would receive up to $8 million of the $241 million Maintaining the Advantage: Skilled Victorians package, released by the Premier.
“The trades are a vital part of our economy, and with the shortage of skilled labour, this is exactly the sort of initiative needed to fill the gap,” she said.
“In my meetings with young people at Berwick Secondary College and with my youth adviser, the issue of education options arose. This is just what some of those young people were asking for and it is fantastic that the Bracks Government is listening and delivering on such an important project. The TEC will be a new senior secondary campus for up to 300 students interested in a career in a trade.
“It will have links to TAFE institutes and provide year 11 and 12 students with a range of vocational training programs.
“This investment will boost the skills of the local workforce and provide a major boost to the local economy.”