A joint submission by five local campuses of the Catholic Regional College has received funding in the first phase of the Trade Training Centres in Schools Program.

Federal Government funding has been made available for major capital works to build a new facility that will include a restaurant open to the public with associated infrastructure including kitchens. Students will be able to enrol in Certificate III qualifications in Hospitality, Sign Writing, Picture Framing, Printing and Baking.

"The Trade Training Centres in Schools Program is a key element of the Australian Government’s Education Revolution and provides schools with funding to build and upgrade training facilities, and purchase industry standard equipment," Gorton MP Brendan O’Connor said today.

"The program aims to address skill shortages in traditional trades and emerging industries by ensuring Australian students have access to high quality, relevant education and training opportunities that engage and encourage them to complete their studies".

Over the 10 year life of the program, every Australian secondary school will have the opportunity to apply for funding of between $500 000 and $1.5 million.

"Congratulations to the Catholic Regional College campuses that applied for, and were successful in the first phase of this Program," Brendan O’Connor said.

For those schools that submitted an Expression of Interest, applications for Phase Two funding close in October 2008.

"I encourage all of our eligible secondary schools to work closely with their education authorities to develop high quality, sustainable proposals."