SEVEN.
Our Education, Learning and Training Industry Makes the Difference City of Wagga Wagga Annual Report 2012/2013
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Our Education, learning and training industry makes the difference Education Council is a facilitator in developing a culture of lifelong learning and of growing Wagga Wagga’s education, learning and training industry. This is evident in that half of Wagga Wagga’s workforce holds some form of qualification, from industry certifications to Bachelor and Postgraduate Degrees. Wagga Wagga has a large variety of educational facilities including; •
Charles Sturt University
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Riverina Institute of TAFE NSW
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Eight secondary schools
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Twenty four primary schools
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Twenty five early childhood and preschool facilities
Strengthening ties to enhance education in Wagga Wagga A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Charles Sturt University (CSU), TAFE NSW Riverina Institute and Wagga Wagga City Council on 24 August 2012. The MoU aims to enhance Wagga Wagga’s reputation as a place for sustainable business, balanced living and as a leader in education, training and research in regional Australia. It paves the way for the development of training agreements between CSU, TAFE NSW Riverina Institute and local industry along with promoting cooperation to support the training needs of the business community. General Manager of Wagga Wagga City Council Mr Phil Pinyon said, “The MoU will formalise the commitment of Wagga Wagga City Council, Charles Sturt University and the Riverina Institute to actively cooperate to enhance both the city and its educational facilities and assist each other to meet mutually beneficial strategic objectives.”
• Two specialist educational facilities for children with learning and intellectual disabilities •
The Riverina Conservatorium of Music
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The University of NSW Rural Clinical School
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The University of Notre Dame’s Clinical School
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Regional Express (REX) Australian Airline Pilot Academy
Charles Sturt University (CSU) Charles Sturt University’s biggest campus, is based in Wagga Wagga and has a broad range of facilities that enable it to provide higher education learning in a range of specialisations. The campus facilities include a state of the art Veterinary Science Centre, Laboratories, Equine Centre, Dental Clinic, Medical Centre and Nutrition Clinic.
The Riverina Institute (TAFE) TAFE NSW is the largest provider of vocational education in the Riverina Murray region of southern NSW. The Riverina Institute builds the skills qualifications and employability of approximately 34,000 students each year
The Riverina Community College (RCC)
Above: Memorandum of Understanding Signing between Wagga Wagga City Council, The Riverina Institute of TAFE and Charles Sturt University in the Wagga Wagga Council Meeting Room on Friday 24 August 2012. Left front: Professor Andrew Vann - Vice-Chancellor (CSU), Kerry Penton (Institute Director (RI), Kerry Pascoe. Left back: Adrian Lindner – Head of Campus Wagga Wagga (CSU), Professor Julia Coyle – Acting Dean of Studies (CSU), Brian Millar – Director Business, Arts & Service Industries (RI), Phil Pinyon - General Manager Wagga Wagga City Council.
The Riverina Community College is one of the region’s leading employment service providers, giving prospective employees the right training and skills to enter the workforce. RCC currently provides advice and support for over 600 job seekers across the region.
The Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) Wagga Wagga is envisaged as a world class aviation, education and training city, and the Australian Airline Pilot Academy facility based at Wagga Wagga Airport is helping to realise this vision. The Academy has invested approximately $25M in state of the art facilities including modern classrooms, 20 new training aircraft, 3 existing flight simulators and construction on the SAAB 340 Full Motion Flight Simulator is nearing completion. Did you know? Wagga Wagga’s education and training sectors value adds $245M to the local economy, which is a very significant 7.4% of the overall value added. Did you know? The University of Notre Dame Rural Clinical Medical School is commencing construction on a new $2.8M facility that is expected to be completed in late 2014. Chapter Cover Image: Australian Airline Pilot Academy located at the Wagga Wagga Regional Airport.
City of Wagga Wagga Annual Report 2012/2013
46