Investment in NorthTec’s network of learning sites

Investment in NorthTec’s network of learning sites almost complete

A sizeable investment in NorthTec’s network of outlying campuses and learning centres is near to completion with over a million dollars spent on capital works since some additional Government funding became available through the Tertiary Education Commission.

NorthTec Asset and Facilities Manager, Rob MacLean, says its learning centre at Rawene has seen the majority of the $1.1 million funding with lots of developments in the past 12 months especially.

Work on a new toilet for administration staff, a toilet block for the disabled, and a wheelchair ramp for improved access was near to being completed which Administrator, Ngaire Gilbert says is just one part of the cash injection it has received with an overall programme of works having taken place to enable it to run its courses effectively and provide the service learners expect.

A 300 sqm building that resembles a farm barn referred to as The Arts Barn, has gone up on the 3.2 hectare Rawene property that allows students to display their creative works and provides the space for them to carry out their many talents. Along with this, a new horticulture shed and plastic pollyhouse for the horticulture department has been built in preparation for what has been popular demand for the courses. In addition, the learning centre’s gravel driveway has been upgraded and a smoking hut for both students and staff is ready for use. One of the classrooms is also to be converted to a computer suite for all its PCs.

Mr MacLean says at the Kaitaia campus, all classrooms had been refurbished and part of a workshop was converted to a carpentry classroom.

He says all the capital works were planned on the projected equivalent full-time students (EFTS) across NorthTec at the time, with the work on the investments starting three years ago. All of the (TEC) funding had now been distributed around the region.

The capital works spend on the key outlying campuses and learning centres operated by NorthTec has given several of them a substantial facelift with the works for this round of funding now nearing an end.

Captioned pictures

BARN STORM: The newly built Arts Barn at Rawene that allows student’s across several different courses to let their creativity flourish which fits in with the learning centre’s sustainable feel.

USER-FRIENDLY: Rawene Learning Centre Administrator Ngaire Gilbert is delighted NorthTec has invested in Rawene delivering a top-class facility for all learners in the Hokianga.

ENDS

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