AMES student Lucy decorates cupcakes in the new industrial-grade kitchen under the watchful eye of Federal Isaacs MP Mark Dreyfus and teacher Lana Wallace.
By Nicole Williams
NEW facilities at an adult learning centre in Greater Dandenong will give new arrivals to Australia much-needed skills to find work in Australia.
AMES Noble Park Service Industry Training Centre officially opened its new facilities on Thursday, including an aged care training room, simulated hotel room and industrial-grade kitchen.
Federal Isaacs MP Mark Dreyfus, on behalf of Chris Evans, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, said AMES had helped many migrants and refugees and the new facilities will help many more.
“We’re celebrating another milestone in the lengthy history of AMES,” Mr Dreyfus said.
“This innovative project offers newly arrived migrants and refuges the opportunity to gain hands on skills and training, helping them to become skilled members of our workforce.”
As the son of a refugee, Mr Dreyfus said AMES helped give new arrivals training opportunities in Australia.
“As the child of one parent who was a refugee, I’ve always understood the challenge of migrants and refugees arriving in Australia,” he said.
“And there is no doubt that AMES has helped many migrants.”
Training within the centre is offered to newly arrived migrants and refugees to gain hands-on training in hospitality and aged care as well as English language skills.
AMES CEO Ian McHutchison said he was pleased students were taking the opportunity to learn new skills.
“The facilities have improved access to training for newly arrived migrants in the south-east corridor,” Mr McHutchison said.
“Local businesses are crying out for workers and the new training kitchen, aged care training room and simulated hotel room at the Noble Park centre will help clients learn English and skill-up, ready to make the most of opportunities in the hospitality and aged care industries.”
The refurbishment works were funded by a $850,000 Federal Government grant under the Investing in Community Education and Training element of the Teaching and Learning Capital Fund for Vocational Education and Training.
