Wednesday, 9 August, 2017

Students across the Latrobe Valley are another step closer to getting their new Tech School, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Education James Merlino and Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing announced today that Paul Boys has been appointed as the inaugural Director of the new Gippsland Tech School.

Mr Boys, who will take up his new role on 21 August in advance of the Tech School opening in early 2018, has more than 20 years’ experience in education management, teaching and industry engagement.

He has been responsible for managing a regional TAFE campus for the past five years and sits on a number of local committees and boards, including South Gippsland and Bass Coast Local Learning and Employment Network and Bass Coast Shire Council Education Reference Group.

The new Tech School at Federation Training’s Morwell campus in the Latrobe Valley is one of 10 new Tech Schools being built by the Labor Government through its $128 million Tech School initiative.

Students from eight partner secondary schools in the Latrobe City will have access to cutting-edge learning at the new Tech School, free of charge, as part of their regular schooling.

Gippsland Tech School will have a local industry focus on food and fibre, health, new energy and advanced manufacturing. Students will work on real-life problems provided by industry and use the latest technologies to come up with solutions.

It is part of the Labor Government’s plan to boost performance in STEM subjects, including a 25 per cent increase in the number of year nine students reaching the highest level of achievement in maths and 33 per cent more 15-year-olds reaching the highest levels in science.

For more information on Tech Schools, visit techschools.education.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino:

“This is an important step forward as we work towards the opening of the Gippsland Tech School next year.”

“The new Tech School will teach young people in Gippsland the skills they need for the jobs of the future.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing:

“We are committed to giving kids in Gippsland every opportunity to succeed.”

“Students in Gippsland will have a learning centre on their doorstep that will help them be ready for the jobs of the 21st century.”

Quotes attributable to the director of the Gippsland Tech School Paul Boys:

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of this exciting new role and building a strong relationship between the Gippsland Tech School and the local community, industry and business.”