Western Sydney becomes a hub for Green Skills training

Astate-of-the art facility for training in the emerging green collar industryofficially opened at TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute, Nirimba College in Quaker’sHill November 1st. The Western Sydney GreenSkills Hub is a Living Laboratorydesigned to model sustainable practices and provide innovative training in thesubject areas of green electrical engineering, plumbing, refrigeration andinformation technology.

 Thefacility includes a community centre which will provide opportunities for thepublic to view, interact with and monitor the impact of green technologies.

 TheGreenSkills Hub, which also includes the EcoSkills Centre at Richmond College,was funded under the Federal Government’s Training Infrastructure Investmentfor Tomorrow initiative.

InstituteDirector Susan Hartigan said that the new facilities were the first vocationaleducation and training facility of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

“TheGreenSkills Hub will be a boon to the new and emerging green skills industryand is also a demonstration of Western Sydney Institute’s commitment to leadingthe way in environmental sustainability and to reducing its environmentalimpact.”

“The facilityfeatures sustainable energy production and resources management, naturalrefrigeration systems and a high-tech Building Management System providing aseamless and integrated system for management of the facility,” Susan said.

 Thefacility was officially opened by Federal Member for Greenway MsMichelle Rowland MP and was attended by State Member for Riverstone JohnAquilina MP. Project Architect Cathy Kubany was also present at the ceremony todiscuss the technical features of the facility.

TAFE NSW -Western Sydney Institute provides more than 1,000 courses at local collegesthroughout Western Sydney and by distance education. For more information go towww.wsi.tafensw.edu.au or call 131 870.

Guests enjoy morning tea at the official opening

Michelle Rowland, Susan Hartigan and John Aquilina at the Opening