The Centre is part of a $A5 million upgrade at the Wagga Wagga Campus which enables apprentice plumbers and gas fitters to train in a life sized environment, reflecting exactly what they will be required to do in the workplace.

NSW Country Labor Member for Legislative Council, The Honourable Tony Catanzariti MLC representing the NSW Minister for Education and Training, Verity Firth, and Steve Hanbridge, Director Infrastructure, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, representing the Hon Julia Gillard MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education were present for the opening.

Mr Catazariti said the purpose designed new building, which is fully equipped with the latest in industry standard equipment, was jointly funded by the Commonwealth and State Governments.

The construction of these facilities allows students to develop the practical skills they will need in the workforce.

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The Plumbing Technology centre boasts a 26 metre long sand pit, two storey framed units, five welding bays, plus thermostatic mixing valve practical areas, and can accommodate up to 75 students at any given time.

It also provides two storey framed units which allow students to practice work on upstairs/downstairs scenarios, something they were unable to do in the old building; and houses a computer laboratory, lecture room with smart board technology and specialised gas training room.

Clever use of technology enables the centre to be environmentally friendly, with water capture systems and recycling taking advantage of the 1,239 square metres of roofing space.

The Wagga Wagga Campus is the largest of Riverina Institute’s 19 campuses and is a major centre for trade training in the region offering apprenticeship training in 20 trade areas, including a number not offered elsewhere in the region.

The Building and Construction Training Centre and the adjacent newly constructed Plumbing Technology Centre provide skills training and professional development in carpentry and joinery, painting and decorating, plumbing, shopfitting and rigging and scaffolding. It is the only campus in southern New South Wales to offer such a broad range of training for the construction industry.