Singleton’s three secondary schools are involved in the trade training centre and will offer vocational education training courses for students in years 10, 11 and 12.

Electro Technology will be offered to Singleton students starting the 2010 school year and they will have a state of the art facility for hands-on training by the end of May.

The Singleton Christian College centre will feature individual work stations and test booths and students will have access to hands on experience and training during their study.

Gauld’s Building Co managing director Jim Gauld said the test areas mimic that of the frame of a house or building.

“They will basically have a house of their own that they can do wiring and short circuiting work on,” he explained.

For Singleton Christian College senior pastors Dr Wayne and Rev. Vicki Richards, the joint venture between the three schools is very exciting.

“This is a new area of practice between education facilities,” Dr Richards said as excitement about the opportunities for young people starts to come to fruition.

Students will receive a certificate two or three in their chosen vocation.

“It will help create an even clearer pathway between schools and TAFE,” Dr Richards explained.

New laws now in place, all students in the state have to finish Year 10 and then continue in education and training, be in full-time work, or a combination of education/ training and employment until the age of 17.

Dr Richards said that with the new law the three trade training centres will be in high demand.

St Catherine’s Catholic College will be offering agriculture and Singleton High School hospitality.

The Christian College building will be located at the rear of the school grounds with student access from Waddells Lane.

It will also include a student parking area and service access area for delivery vehicles.

There are plans to use the building as a multipurpose centre for future courses.

The school’s new library is also being built in proximity to the centre.

Funding for the trade training came from the Australian Government’s Building the Education Revolution package.