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$1.7 million upgrade for Box Hill TAFE

News Release - 29 April 1999

The Whitehorse campus of Box Hill Institute of TAFE will receive State Government funding of $1.7 million for a major upgrade of Vocational Education and Training facilities, the Member for Box Hill, Robert Clark, announced today.

The Institute is already Victoria's leading training facility in floristry, based at the Whitehorse campus. This major capital works project will help establish the Institute as the leader in Australia in this specialised field.

The project involves refurbishment and extensive work on buildings 1, 2 and 3 at the campus. An area between buildings 2 and 3 will be covered, adding 338 square metres of interior space.

The works will link buildings 1 and 2 at the first floor, completing a link of all buildings. This will increase the use of flexible training rooms in buildings 2 and 3.

The new facilities will include:

• A new student entry, which will replace the current, sometimes confusing, multiple entries off Whitehorse Road. This will increase the security of the campus at night.
• A reception/information centre.
• New office space for the Centre for Training Development and Small Business.

The funding is part of the Victorian Government Budget for 1999-2000, to be formally announced on May 4, 1999.

Mr Clark said the new facilities would significantly improve vocational education and training in the Box Hill community.

"This project will further boost the ability of Box Hill Institute of TAFE to provide a wide range of high quality courses to meet the diverse needs of our workforce," Mr Clark said.

"It will help cement the Institute's standing as one of the State's leading and most innovative vocational education and training facilities."

The Minister for Tertiary Education and Training, Phil Honeywood, said the new facilities would benefit students and local businesses.

"More students will be able to access more courses," Mr Honeywood said.

"These new facilities will also help ensure local businesses have access to a skilled workforce.

The capital works project will be carried out in 1999-2000.