Labor promises to deliver trade training centre

The promise has drawn criticism from the Liberal party.

Mr Gray announced on Wednesday that the centre would be built at two locations ” Gilmore College in Kwinana and Rockingham Senior High School ” after it was successful in round five of trade centre funding program.

He said a trade training centre had been in planning for many years and would be used by schools from Rockingham and Kwinana.

‘Trade training centres will address skill shortages in traditional trades and emerging industries by equipping schools with the state-of-the-art industry standard facilities they need,’ he said.

Mr Gray said Peron would include a testing laboratory and allied health training facility and offer qualifications in allied health and manufacturing.

‘The centre will aim to increase retention rates and improve students’ transition into further training and employment by providing access to training in industry pathways in areas of high labour demand,’ he said.

‘Schools are encouraged to work with local employers who can support the schools with expertise, equipment and provide on the job placements, school based apprenticeships and traineeships for local students.’

Liberal candidate for Brand Donna Gordin said it was a ‘hollow promise’ after Mr Gray had promised to build a centre at the 2010 election.

‘Here we are in 2013 and Gary Gray and Labor are again making the same promise after failing to deliver for the past six years in an area that has one of the highest rates of youth unemployment,’ Ms Gordin said.

Mr Gray said a Tony Abbott-led government would cut trade training centres.

The Courier contacted Ms Gordin to confirm whether a Coalition government would build the centres but she did not respond before deadline.