$3.3 MILLION FOR TRADES TRAINING IN 3 LOCAL SCHOOLS

Three local high schools are the beneficiaries of more than $3.3 million in Federal grants, designed to help kick start trade training careers for many Shoalhaven students, says Gilmore MP, Joanna Gash.

Shoalhaven High, Nowra High and St John The Evangelist Catholic High have been allocated the funding to establish professional hospitality and construction training centres within their school grounds.

Mrs Gash said that the grant was the direct result of many years of effort by local advocates, parents and teachers.

“For a long time, trades have been seen by many as the lesser post-schooling option compared to higher study.” Mrs Gash said.

“The truth is, not every child wants or needs a university degree, and this is why trades training should be an integral part of any secondary studies.

“I welcome this funding because it will demonstrate to local students the value a trade can hold, even as a kind of ‘career insurance’ if students decide pursue a different career path post- school.

Mrs Gash said that with the school leaving age recently being raised to 17, trades funding will also help encourage students to stick around and sit their HSC by allowing them to earn Certificate I & II qualifications in subjects such as Hospitality, Engineering and Construction all in the same school course.

“I’m hoping we can continue to build on this by extending the program to other high schools throughout Gilmore and I will be heavily pressuring the Minister for more money to achieve this”, Mrs Gash said.