The vision for the major upgrade of North Metropolitan TAFE’s Balga campus is taking shape, with designs finalised for the $40 million construction and tender advertised for its construction.
The redevelopment will include a new three-storey training facility to provide a world-class learning environment; replacing 22 run down transportable classrooms at the northern suburbs campus, originally built in the 1970s. The new facility will be used to deliver training across a range of areas including building and construction, community services and general education, as well as enhancing student services and staff amenities with student breakout spaces, meeting rooms, conference rooms and additional parking.
There will be a mix of modern learning spaces; including an interactive student learning hub (contemporary library), contemporary and technology enabled classrooms, computer laboratories and large future trades training workshop to accommodate ‘smart building’ and emerging construction technologies.
The Balga Jobs and Skills Centre will also have a new home in the new building, offering free, professional advice on training and employment opportunities to the local community.
Perth architecture studio Hassell designed the new Balga facility, one of 14 major capital works projects taking place at TAFE colleges across WA as part of the State Government’s $215.8 million investment in upgrading essential infrastructure.
Tenders close 12 July 2022, with construction expected to begin in October 2022 and be completed by mid-2024.
“The McGowan Government is investing heavily in training infrastructure across Western Australia to build a skilled workforce for now and into the future." says Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery. “North Metropolitan TAFE’s Balga campus is one of the leading facilities for training apprentices in the priority building and construction sector. These facilities will support the State’s construction industry train the next generation of workers at a critical time for the industry. This is a significant project for the northern suburbs, creating a first class learning facility for students as well as numerous jobs throughout the construction.”