$27 million high tech TAFE campus opens at Coomera

The Gold Coast’s film and television industry has received a boost with the official opening of the region’s newest TAFE campus at Coomera.

Minister for Employment, Skills and Mining today joined Member for Albert Margaret Keech and Member for Southport Peter Lawlor to officially open the $26.9 million high-tech campus.

Mr Hinchliffe said the Gold Coast Institute of TAFE’s state-of-the-art facility would allow Gold Coast students to unleash their creative abilities using modern technology.

“This brand new complex will provide a modern learning experience for students enrolling in creative industries, information technology and computer-based construction and engineering courses,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“It’s equipped with seven recording studios, computer laboratories and motion capturing capabilities for 3D animation as used in the movie, Avatar.

“The facility also features theatres, digital editing suites and rehearsal studios as well as a natural amphitheatre.”

Mrs Keech said the facility would play a major role in developing the Coast’s film and television industry.

“The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s key film and television hot spots and this new TAFE campus will help create tomorrow’s local talent for exciting career opportunities,” Mrs Keech said.

“It will also help cater for the Gold Coast’s rapidly growing northern corridor, with Coomera expected to reach more than 60,000 residents by 2021.

“Currently 700 students are studying a range of courses from graphic design and sound production to interactive digital media and screen and media.

“New courses will come on line next year in multi-media, information technology, music business and building design and technology.

Mr Lawlor said the Gold Coast Institute of TAFE was playing a vital role in improving the employment prospects of students on the Coast.

“Students graduating with a Certificate III are twice as likely to secure employment as those without a post-school qualification,” Mr Lawlor said.

Mr Hinchliffe said the Bligh Government was committed to meeting the anticipated increase in demand for local vocational education.

“The State Government was pleased to fund this campus which will help us achieve our Toward Q2 strategy which is to have three out of four Queenslanders hold a trade, training or tertiary qualification by 2020.”

For more information visit: http://coomeraopenday.gcit.edu.au/