The Minister for TAFE, Skills and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, made a very welcome visit to Wagga Wagga this week to announce a $2.6m funding package for new facilities and maintenance at Wagga TAFE.

A key part of the package will deliver new grinding facilities that will enhance the training of welders and fabricators to help reduce the local skills shortage.

It was a pleasure to meet staff and students, including head teacher Paul Ams and student Tahlia-Paige Crawford who’s looking forward to exciting new learning opportunities.

Minister Whan also visited Charles Sturt University for a women in construction breakfast and toured some of the university’s outstanding learning spaces.

One of my priorities is to continue advocating to improve our skills base and I’m grateful to the minister for his support.