A combined submission from eleven Catholic Colleges in Sydney's Inner West has secured funding for the development of a new Trade Training Centre at Burwood.

The Principals of the eleven Colleges have been informed that the Australian Government will fund the establishment of Burwood Catholic Vocational College.

Under this program secondary schools in Australia were invited to apply for up to $1m each to develop new facilities.

Eleven Catholic Colleges in a combined submission requested $11 million to construct the new College to meet the vocational needs of their students.  The Project is subject to final contract negotiations.

The Executive Director of the Catholic Education Office (CEO), Archdiocese of Sydney, Br Kelvin Canavan said:  "The Catholic Colleges have worked together to develop the proposal for this Vocational College which will be a first for Sydney and will be a specialist institution providing trade training for girls and boys in Years 11 and 12 as part of their Higher School Certificate.  This is a most exciting and innovative program that will provide industry based learning, help ease the skills shortages in many industries and contribute to increased retention rates for our youth. It is a win for all."

The College will be built for 500 students and is centrally located with easy public transport access.  Trades in Automotive, Construction, Furniture Making, Child Care, Health Studies, Hospitality, Entertainment and Information Technology will be among the programs on offer.  The school will be organised around work- based learning.

Many industry groups have supported the project.  Specialist staff will be employed to support work-based learning and assist the students in gaining full-time employment on leaving school, and assist in planning their on-going training and education through TAFE.

"This successful application is a good example of what can be achieved when schools work together for the benefit of their students."

This new Vocational College (Yrs 11-12) will be developed on the site of Christian Brothers College (Yr 7-10) which will close next year.  A development application for consideration by the Burwood Council will now be prepared.

For further information contact:

Br Kelvin Canavan
Executive Director of Schools

Phone:  9568 8201 or Mobile 0418 615 308