Above: TAFE Gippsland’s Plumbing Teacher, John McKenzie, (middle) takes receipt of this generous equipment donation from Gippsland Water staff; from left: Shane Hutchinson, Manager Major Systems and Gippsland Water Factory, and Graham Harvey, Stores Issuing Officer (at right).
TAFE Gippsland Plumbing apprentices are benefitting through a very generous equipment donation from local water authority Gippsland Water.
Gippsland Water have kindly donated specialised water isolation valves for TAFE Gippsland apprentices to use in their 2022 training at Morwell campus.
Mr John McKenzie, Teacher Plumbing at TAFE Gippsland’s new Morwell Trade Skills Centre, brought the initiative to Building Trades Program Manager, Julie Beckley, earlier this year.
He said the donation will benefit TAFE Gippsland with an estimated saving of around $2700 to $3000.
“We’re grateful to Gippsland Water for donating these Specialised Valves for training our apprentices in the installation, servicing and operational requirements of Sluice valves for the control of high-pressure main supply water flow,” Mr McKenzie explained.
“Gippsland Water has been a terrific supporter of TAFE Gippsland for many, many years and we appreciate their support and interest in local trade training.”
Gippsland Water Managing Director, Sarah Cumming said supporting local young people to access practical skills-based training was a key part of its employment pathways program.
“This is just one of the initiatives we have in place to help local people develop meaningful and rewarding careers right here in Gippsland.
“By donating equipment and sharing our expertise with local schools and training centres, we’re helping students gain hands-on experience and improving their prospects of employment in their chosen field at the end of their course.
“We know that the majority of students who learn locally, go on to live and work locally, and we’re keen to support them where we can,” Ms Cumming said.
Mr McKenzie visited Gippsland Water earlier in March to take receipt of the donated valves from Gippsland Water representatives Shane Hutchinson, Manager Major Systems and Gippsland Water Factory, and Stores Issuing Officer Graham Harvey.
For all media related enquiries, call;
Neil Lawson - Communications Coordinator, TAFE Gippsland
Phone - 0419 425 804
Email - nlawson@tafegippsland.edu.au or news@tafegippsland.edu.au