The Independent Education Union has welcomed the announcement that the next round of Trades Training Centres will give priority to schools in lower socio-economic areas.
Federal Secretary of the IEU, Mr Chris Watt said with funding going to around 130 schools across Australia it is important that due recognition is given to non-government schools which play a vital role in communities from disadvantaged schools right across Australia.
“We have always supported the Government’s Trade Training Centre policy as a good way of ensuring schools are better able to provide vocational education and training to students while also encouraging them to stay in school.
“These training centres will give students from disadvantaged areas a chance to gain skills that will help them into trades and apprenticeships after they leave school.
“There are many non-government schools that are situated in disadvantaged areas and they not only educate the students, they also play vital roles in the community.
“Students in disadvantaged areas, especially remote areas often don’t have the opportunities that students from other areas get and these training centres will give them vocational education opportunities they would not have received.
“We know that many schools have espoused the benefits of having a trades training centre in their school and prioritising schools from disadvantaged areas will give a boost to entire communities, not just schools,” said Mr Watt.
Media Contact: Evan Langdon 0429 020 409 or elangdon@ieu.org.au