Deputy Premier and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole has today unveiled major investments at TAFE NSW Bathurst for new teaching and learning facilities.
Mr Toole was joined by Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee to announce a $430,000 upgrade to animal studies facilities and new digitally-enabled virtual teaching and learning spaces, including additional classroom technology.
The upgraded animal studies facilities replicate a real-world clinical environment and will help deliver a pipeline of skilled veterinary nurses, pet groomers, and animal carers for industries right across the Central West.
The investment includes state-of-the-art medical and grooming equipment, surgical and grooming benches, a pathology lab, animal diagnostic tools, a hydrobath, and new outdoor animal runs.
“The new animal studies facilities will help students graduate with job-ready skills. They also demonstrate the NSW Government’s commitment to building the educational facilities needed to deliver high-quality, industry-relevant training linked to job outcomes,” Mr Toole said.
Four new teaching and learning spaces, called Connected Learning Points, will also be built at TAFE NSW Bathurst, which form part of the NSW Government’s $20 million initiative to build 200 virtual learning spaces across TAFE NSW campuses by May 2022.
In addition, $130,000 will be invested to deliver 123 new high-tech devices, which will enable students to access a wider range of computer applications and allows teachers to deliver the highest quality education and training. This is part of a $10 million investment to deliver state-of-the-art technology upgrades to over 1500 learning spaces across 134 metropolitan, regional, and rural TAFE NSW campuses this year.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said TAFE NSW is evolving to meet students’ education and training needs across the State.
“TAFE NSW recognises that each student learns differently. These upgrades will increase access to face-to-face learning in a simulated clinical environment as well as providing flexible and engaging virtual study options, coupled with better classroom technology,” Mr Lee said.
“We want our regional students to have access to high-quality, hands-on practical training while also being able to tap into virtual courses and develop skills valued by employers, such as digital literacy, remote working, and problem-solving. These upgrades are a win for our Central West communities and industries.”
Explore hundreds of courses at TAFE NSW and pursue your passion with life-changing training. For more information, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.
