The NSW Nationals in the state government have announced a major expansion of TAFE training facilities in the Upper Hunter.
A $3 million multi-trades workshop and mobile training storage facility will be built at the Scone Connected Learning Centre.
Deputy Premier and NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro said the $3 million workshop will complement the existing $6.5 million Connected Learning Centre to deliver hands-on training in a range of areas critical to the economy.
“Investment in education and training is critical and these new state-of-the-art facilities will have a positive, tangible impact on jobs for locals in the Upper Hunter,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The workshop will deliver hands-on skills and meet industry demand for additional practical training such as wool classing, horticulture, small motor maintenance, welding, animal studies, chemical skill sets, agricultural fencing, and chainsaw operations.
“Following the sale of the Scone TAFE campus at 2 Flemington Drive, we are putting that money straight back into the community by way of projects like this.”
The NSW Nationals in the state government have also announced the former Scone TAFE site will become a world-class equine training centre, to be delivered by Racing NSW.
“The thoroughbred racing industry generates a $3.6 billion economic benefit to NSW and sustains 27,600 full time equivalent jobs across the state so this is a major boost for local employment now, and for generations to come,” Mr Barilaro said.
The NSW Nationals in the state government have also announced jobseekers across the state will have access to free hospitality training to address growing skills shortages in the regional hospitality industry.
A partnership between the government and Clubs NSW will be piloted in clubs across the Upper Hunter, giving unemployed locals an opportunity to reskill for a job in a club.
