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ECEC the centrepiece of Australia’s first sustainable VET campus on Gold Coast
Freya Lucas
Jul 25, 2022
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Australia’s first sustainable Vocational Education and Training (VET) campus, a fourth TAFE Queensland campus on the Gold Coast, has been officially opened by Queensland Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer.
TAFE Queensland’s Robina campus was designed ‘from the ground up’ to be sustainable in building, fit-out, procurement, curriculum, operations and culture.Audrey Sebban is excited to learn at the Robina campus after recently deciding to upskill to the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care to pursue her career goal of being a Lead Educator and eventually a Centre Manager.
“I chose to return to TAFE Queensland because the teachers were really great and I love the way they teach at TAFE, it is very hands on,” Ms Sebban said.
“I think it is important that the childcare industry (sic.) use more sustainable products as we are the role model for the children in our care. If they see us doing it, and if we teach them what and how to do it in a fun way, they will love to do it. And they might even reproduce it at home.”
The campus has received a variety of awards and accolades, including winning silver in the Construction category at the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics 2022 Awards of Excellence.
“Not only is the door open to a world of training opportunities and job prospects here at Robina, but students have the opportunity to learn in a facility that has been recognised on the world stage,” Ms Farmer said.
Modern design and construction practices have been used throughout the building’s construction and fit out to meet sustainability ambitions and reduce greenhouse emissions through 250 solar panels, recycled materials and ecological finishes, sensor activated lighting, solar glass and rainwater-fed automated irrigation system.
The Queensland Government contributed $10 million toward the fit out costs as part of its Equipping TAFE for our Future program, to meet the needs of the fast-growing region.
The first cohort are due to graduate in 2023 and will help grow the Queensland workforce in critical industries and sectors thanks to training received on campus such as commercial cookery, hospitality, early childhood education and care, information technology, hair and beauty, and sport and fitness.
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