Maitland could soon boast a new flagship Australian Technical College (ATC) if the Coalition conquers next month’s federal election.
During a visit to the region on Thursday 17 April, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton promised to invest $18 million as part of the total project cost of $25 million to build the development.
The commitment will extend the campus, doubling the capacity of the existing premises from about 250 students to more than 500.
In fact, the Hunter Trade College would be the inaugural ATC built as part of the Liberals/Nationals’ new national network of 12 other sites.
Established by the Howard government in 2006, the local institution is a combined accredited school and registered training organisation.
It offers the HSC program for Years 11 and 12, focusing on automotive, construction, electrotechnology, plumbing, and metal engineering trade areas.
Students enrolled in the facilities undergo a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship, as well as academic and business courses, which lead to a Year 12 certificate.
Deputy Leader and Shadow Minister for Skills and Training Sussan Ley said the local expansion was an important stepping stone.
“Hunter Trade College is an outstanding school and a national asset, we are going to take what they do at Hunter Trade College across Australia,” she stated.
“If we are going to build the homes we require, back our manufacturers and miners with local workers and to care for our growing and aging population, we’re going to need to increase the number of Australians taking up skills.
“We need to build new schools.”
Liberal candidate for Paterson Laurence Antcliff has been a major advocate for the critical expansion of Hunter Trade College, regularly meeting with students for consultation.
“I’ve spent over a decade leading Australia’s largest apprentice network in construction, backing more than 450 young tradies and 250 small businesses,” he said.
“I don’t just talk about skills, I have built the pipeline.
“This trade college is the result of that work… and I fought to bring it here.
“It will double our capacity, fix the broken apprentice pipeline, and finally give our kids a clear path into high-paying, high-demand jobs right here in the Hunter.”
According to Mr Antcliff, the Labor government “let the system fall apart”.
“I’ve seen it first-hand, businesses desperate for workers, young people locked out of opportunity,” he said.
“That’s why I fought for this college.
“I know it works… and I know how to deliver.
“This is just the beginning.”
The expansion is part of the Coalition’s plan to back Australia’s Skilled Workforce, which outlines a commitment to return the apprentice and trainee pipeline to more than 400,000.
The strategy also includes a $12,000 small and medium business apprentice and trainee wage support, and a $5,000 to $10,000 wage supplement through the Key Apprentice Program.
“Labor has spent over $1.5 billion on its Free TAFE program but we have seen the new starts of construction trade apprentices drop by 30%,” a Coalition spokesperson said.
“It is why we are building fewer homes.”
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