Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery and Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray have announced South-West-based business Kent Lyon Architect has been appointed to design the refurbishment of the South Regional TAFE Collie campus.
The announcement was made in Collie on Friday, May 3, and the project will see South-West residents employed to design the facility upgrades.
The Collie TAFE campus facilities haven't changed much since they were first constructed.
The overhaul is aimed at modernising and improving training facilities to ensure students have the best opportunity to secure local jobs in their chosen field.
Founded in 1996, Kent Lyon Architect specialises in educational and workplace design.
The company has previously completed works at the Tuart Forest Primary School, Bunbury Primary School and in the Bunbury, Harvey, Busselton, and Narrogin South Regional TAFE campuses.
They have also completed works at the Collie Art Gallery and several local schools.
Kent Lyon Architect architect and director Kent Lyon said being chosen as the company helps assist him to continue to employ and develop the skills of his team.
"There is often competition for work and we pride ourselves on working with our local South West communities and being curators for their assets over the past 23 years," he said.
"It allows us to maintain the architectural and construction knowledge that has been acquired throughout a range of projects.
"Plus have more of a buy local mentality for civic and cultural projects by being able to continue to employ architects, graduates and locally trained building designers since establishment."
Ms Ellery said choosing South-West expertise to refurbish the TAFE in Collie would secure jobs for the region.
"Bringing these improvements to the training areas at TAFE in Collie will support students' continued access to vocational education and training programs," she said.
"We want to ensure we are training Western Australians with the practical skills that local employers are looking for so they are best placed to take up job opportunities."
Mr Murray said it was exciting to see the first step of the project underway and another election commitment on track.
"I'm very proud of this investment to upgrade Collie TAFE, as it will give country students practical training that aligns with future job growth in the region," he said.
"The best way to get more Collie people into local jobs is to give them the best possible training opportunities. This project will help facilitate their journey, making them job-ready."
Mr Murray said TAFE staff had also been helping to contribute ideas for a futuristic design of the campus.
TAFE Collie and Harvey campus manager Kieran O'Brien said it was great that the campus was finally getting an upgrade.
"We are delighted to see this come up to a level that can professionally service the community and we are excited to offer a broader range of options for local students and support local employment," he said.
