Otago Polytechnic is proposing building an automotive and related trades training centre as a “shovel-ready” project to help New Zealand’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Estimated to cost about $7 million, it’s one of two training centres the polytechnic has suggested in response to the Government’s call for projects that can start quickly and soon.
The other, an engineering, building and construction trades training centre at the polytechnic’s Dunedin campus is estimated at $31.7 million. The polytechnic says work on it could begin within weeks and employ around 200 people until it’s completed in mid-2022.
It says building the automotive training centre could also start within weeks and employ about 40.
It would be built on the Kaikorai Valley site of the polytechnic’s recently-opened automotive engineering facility, and would deliver automotive, engineering and related trade qualifications.
Polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker says it would provide additional capacity to deliver modern apprenticeship programmes.
“Just as Otago Polytechnic has much to contribute to vocational education in New Zealand, we also acknowledge we have a part to play in an economic recovery,” Ker says.
