- Published:
- Wednesday 14 February 2018
The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with delivering the new Gippsland Tech School, with construction of the new school nearly complete ahead of its opening for students in Term 2 this year.
Minister for Education James Merlino today toured the Tech School to see firsthand the exciting new high-tech facilities being built – which thousands of local students and teachers will soon be able to use for free.
Gippsland Tech School, based at Federation Training Morwell, is one of 10 new Tech Schools that will use cutting-edge technology to deliver advanced education and training in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
The Tech School’s inaugural Director, Paul Boys, has been working with local schools and businesses to develop teaching programs, build industry partnerships and chose high-tech education gear for the exciting new facility.
Gippsland Tech School, part of the Latrobe Valley’s $17 million Hi-Tech Precinct, will give local schools access to the latest technology to use as part of their classes – opening up new opportunities for students.
The facility will include a high-tech skills lab, a fabrication room and a makerspace for students to use and get hands-on experience with specialised high-tech equipment.
More than 5,000 students from eight partnering government and non-government secondary schools in the City of Latrobe will be able to benefit from the new Tech School.
Gippsland Tech School will have a local industry focus on food and fibre, health, new energy and advanced manufacturing. Students will work on real-life problems provided by industry and use the latest technologies to come up with solutions.
Vincent Chrisp Architects designed Gippsland Tech School, with Becon Constructions building it.
It is part of the Government’s plan to boost performance in STEM subjects, including a 25 per cent increase in the number of Year 9 students reaching the highest level of achievement in maths and 33 per cent more 15-year-olds reaching the highest levels in science.
For more information – including a list of the Gippsland Tech School’s partner schools – visit: techschools.education.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“The Gippsland Tech School will give students and teachers across the Latrobe Valley free access to cutting-edge programs, industry input and the latest technology to use as part of their classes.”
“The new Tech School will be a valuable resource for local schools and industry when it opens in Term 2 – helping students build skills and get real world experience in the local jobs of the future.”
Quote attributable to the Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“This project makes sure that students right across the Latrobe Valley will have access to the latest technology to give them the best education possible.”