Robots and virtual reality are just some of the new technologies available to students from eight schools across the region at the newly-opened Gippsland Tech School.
Education Minister James Merlino and Training and Skills Minister Gayle Tierney were in the Latrobe Valley to celebrate the official opening of the school on Thursday.
The facility is one of 10 tech schools across the state being constructed under the state government’s $128 million tech school initiative, and is located at Federation Training’s Morwell campus, next to the Latrobe Valley’s $17 million High Tech Precinct.
The Gippsland Tech School facilities include a high-tech skills laboratory, a fabrication room and a maker space for students to get hands-on experience using specialised high-tech STEM equipment.
Mr Merlino took a tour of the new tech school said he was “absolutely blown away” by the new facilities and technologies available to students.
“The robotics, the virtual reality, the advance manufacturing equipment, this is a very, very, very special place and you see it in the engagement and the enthusiasm of the students. That is when you know that you’re onto something really, really special,” he said.
“The students who learn in this hub will join the generations of students who have helped your community thrive.
“But they will be the new generation, the generation of digital natives who will shepherd us through the high tech economies of tomorrow, economies that will challenge the norm and challenge our way of thinking, but deliver us prosperity.”
Mr Merlino said more than 5000 students from government, Catholic and independent schools across the region would be able to access the facilities and technology at the tech school.
“Importantly the industry focus will be on the strengths of this region, so food and fibre, health, new energy and advanced manufacturing,” he said.
“Each tech school is different, but this tech school reflects the strengths and opportunities of the Latrobe Valley.”
