Federal Opposition leader Brendan Nelson, centre, and spokesman for Education, Apprenticeships and Training Tony Smith with Aaron Howlett, a second-year engine reconditioning apprentice at HM GEM Engines, discuss the need for an Australian Technical College in Dandenong.PRESSURE is on the Federal Government to revive a pre-election Coalition promise to build an Australian technical college in Dandenong.
The Liberal government promised the college as one of 100 across Australia in November to cater for the needs of the local automotive and manufacturing industries.
Now in opposition, the Liberals say the newly elected Labor Party needs to look at the idea.
Opposition leader Brendan Nelson visited the Dandenong region this month in an attempt to highlight the issue, along with Senator Mitch Fifield and Opposition spokesman for Education, Apprenticeships and Training Tony Smith.
They said the Government lacked specific commitments to cater for trades training in Dandenong.
Dr Nelson said a technical college was essential to ensure young people had access to apprenticeship opportunities so industry could employ skilled staff.
The college would cost $26 million, they said.
