The Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Federal Member for Hunter, today officially opened the new Cessnock Trade Training Centre at Cessnock High School.

Mr Fitzgibbon said the Trade Training Centre received over $1 million from the federal government as part of the Trade Training Centres in Schools program for a commercial kitchen and new equipment.

Its great to be here today to officially open the Trade Training Centre which is already having a hugely positive impact on this school, its students and the broader community, Mr Fitzgibbon said.

I congratulate all of those involved in making this project a success and applaud your commitment to improving the opportunities and training pathways for the young people of this region.

It has been fantastic to see local input from principals, parents and tradespeople in delivering this important community project.

This trade training facility will provide industry relevant training in hospitality that will best prepare our students for the highly skilled workforce of tomorrow, Mr Fitzgibbon said.

The Trade Training Centres in Schools Program is one of a number of federal government initiatives designed to improve the quality of schooling nationwide and build a highly qualified, well trained Australian workforce.

Trade Training Centres are being established to help increase the proportion of students achieving Year 12 or an equivalent qualification and help address skill shortages in traditional trades and emerging industries.

To date, $1.2 billion has been approved to fund more than 370 projects, benefiting over 1070 schools around Australia.

Further information about the Cessnock Trade Training Centre and all schools funded under the Program is available at www.tradetrainingcentres.deewr.gov.au