Tradies to be taught at college

Faith Lutheran College students Michael Jones (left), 14, and Anthony Lunn, 14, hard at work. Photo: David Nielsen

LOCKYER Valley students will be given every chance to get ahead with a new trades training centre to be built at a Plainland school.

A $1.5 million trade centre will be constructed at the Faith Lutheran College in Plainland over the next two years.

The centre will see students taking part in activities including cabinet-making and working on small projects to develop vocational skills inside school.

Faith Lutheran College principal Janelle Anderson said the centre would be a vital boost to the school.

"The college was very excited to be offering our students real life experiences and training in preparation for their future careers and challenges," she said.

"This is a growth corridor area, there will be a lot of trade work available in the area in the future and we want to make sure our students have the skills to take advantage of that."

Ms Anderson said the centre would provide students with expanded education options.

"Here in the valley we really have a lot of students that need hands-on learning, and this centre will really help provide that."

Initially the trades centre will be offering students Certificate courses in construction, small engine building, furnishing, engineering and electro technology.

However, the school has hopes to expand the courses offered by the centre with plans in place for Certificate II training to be offered in the near future.

The Faith Lutheran College will receive money from the Federal Government to construct the new facility.

While a set date for the beginning of construction on the trades centre is yet to be set, with final paperwork still to be submitt- ed, the school is currently hoping it will be open for training in early 2013.