Prime Minister Julia Gillard today inspected new mobile training facilities and heavy vehicle simulators that will transform the learning environment for thousands of students in South Australia.
The Gillard Labor Government has invested $8.2 million towards the development of a state of the art training centre run by Civil Train SA which will allow civil construction students to train using technologically advanced simulators.
The simulators will help students learn how to drive and operate heavy machinery such as loaders and excavators.
The Prime Minister and Minister for Skills and Jobs, Senator Chris Evans visited the facilities run by Civil Train SA at Thebarton in Adelaide today.
The new equipment will also help students in regional South Australia when Civil Train SA begins operating 6 mobile units which include vehicle simulators.
Civil Train SA also contributed to the $12.8 million project which will enable the organisation to double its training places to more than 20,000 in three years.
The Gillard Government is investing directly in projects like the one at Civil Train SA to help improve the skills of Australian workers.
Investing in skills training is a down payment on our nation's future.
That's why the Budget invests more than $3 billion over six years in the Building Australia's Future Workforce package to ensure Australians of all ages are able to access the training and skills they need to get a job in our strengthening economy.
The Budget is focused on ensuring Australian workers have the opportunity to get the high skill, high paid jobs on offer in our nation and enjoy the dignity of work.
Improving the quality of the vocational education and training sector and ensuring graduates have the skills necessary to support a strong economy is a key priority for the Government.
The $8.2 million investment in Civil Train SA training facilities has been made through the Government's Education Investment Fund (EIF).
Through major capital infrastructure investment, the EIF has been transforming Australia's teaching and learning capabilities, and helping to meet the demand for skilled workers.
In the past three years, the Government has invested more than $4 billion in building new education, training and research facilities across Australia.
More information on the EIF initiative can be found at: www.deewr.gov.au/EIF