Coming soon: The new Benalla GOTAFE CBD campus will be ready by the end of 2023.
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Contributed
Works are well under way at GOTAFE’s new campus in the Benalla CBD, with locals getting a sneak peek into the facility.
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On Thursday, June 29 Victorian Regional Development Minister Harriet Shing joined GOTAFE interim chief executive Kristie O’Brien for a tour of the site.
The campus will be open in time for the first term of 2024, and once complete will give local people increased access to a range of vocational education.
It will also house a skills and jobs centre, meaning community members will have access to career advice, training and job-readiness support in a central location.
The new campus is being built to reflect modern learning, offering a blend of classroom spaces, individual study areas and conferencing facilities.
Delivering opportunities: GOTAFE executive director growth and engagement Hannah Turnbull, acting executive director performance and governance Maree Walker, interim GOTAFE chief executive Kristie O’Brien, Victorian Regional Development Minister Harriet Shing and GOTAFE director asset solutions Bernie Dowsley.
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Simon Ruppert
Features of the re-fitted building will include sound-proof meeting spaces, video conferencing facilities and modern classrooms.
Ms Shing said the partnership between GOTAFE and the Victorian Government, with assistance from Benalla Rural City Council, was extremely important in terms of delivering important services within the CBD.
“It’s important that students can access vocational training and education close to public transport,” Ms Shing said.
“That’s why this new campus in the heart of Benalla will bring more people to the careers, jobs, educational pathways and opportunities that they want, and that the region needs now and into the future.
Under construction: GOTAFE’s Bernie Dowsley showing design concepts to Regional Development Minister Harriet Shing.
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Simon Ruppert
“We know that our growing population across regional Victoria requires us to deliver courses and educational opportunities closer to home.”
Ms Shing said the new campus would deliver the best outcomes for students in Benalla and district.
“The focus on mental health and nursing will be a big priority for this facility,” she said.
“There will be two classrooms as well as additional break-out rooms and spaces for people to get access to opportunities for professional development and assistance.
“(Which) means we can provide those first-rate qualifications that GOTAFE can deliver.”
Ms O’Brien said GOTAFE had been consulting with the community and industry to ensure Benalla residents could access education to meet local industry needs at the new site.
Sneak peek: Regional Development Minister Harriet Shing looks over plans for the new GOTAFE Benalla CBD campus.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
“Enrolment numbers in Benalla have been around 60 students per year and we expect those numbers to increase with this new facility,” Ms O’Brien said.
Education delivery has continued from BPACC while construction of the new CBD campus takes place.
Courses on offer at the new GOTAFE campus will address critical skills shortages currently faced by regional communities, including in the nursing and mental health sectors.
When the CBD campus fit-out is complete, students will continue their studies from the new facilities.
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