Page 1601 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 2 June 2021
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delivered directly there. The current level of courses that are delivered at Gungahlin, which is based on community demand and may change from time to time, includes English language, business accounting, digital media technologies, construction—(Time expired.)
MR BRADDOCK: Minister, will the CIT expand its presence in Gungahlin College?
MR STEEL: The CIT are governed by a board. They will consider what the needs of industry are and what the needs and demands of that community are in relation to training, and what needs to be delivered in certain locations. However, they have made it clear through their campus renewal plan that the main centres of face-to-face learning will be at CIT Bruce and the new CIT in Woden.
However, as an example of how they adapt to needs, demand for English language and accounting classes at Gungahlin has grown significantly, and CIT has responded by increasing the number of classes being conducted this year through the CIT in Gungahlin. They want to make sure that they have that engagement with industry, as the ACT government continues to do through our skills needs list and so forth. Particularly through their strategic plan, they are committed to engaging with industry and making sure that they meet the needs of the industry in a variety of different ways, and making sure that those flexible learning opportunities are available for all Canberrans.
DR PATERSON: Minister, could you please talk to the CIT presence and campus in Woden, and how that is progressing?
MR STEEL: I am very pleased that significant work is progressing on the CIT campus in Woden. This is going to accommodate most of the functions that were previously supported at the ageing CIT campus in Reid. It will provide a new, world-class education and training institution in the heart of Woden. Work is about to get underway on building the new interchange, which will make way for the CIT campus which will be built on the old interchange. We have architects appointed that are currently developing the reference design for the CIT, which will then be used once we go through procurement for the final design and construction delivery partner for that major project.
We are looking forward to engaging with the community on the design of the project, as things progress. The CIT has been leading this work, engaging with both the CIT staff and students on the CIT Woden project. That has all fed into the functional information that has been used to inform the design of the new campus, which we think will be a fantastic site for teaching and learning going forward in the areas of hospitality, right through to arts and other areas that are critical to meeting industry need in the economy.
Health—occupational therapy
MS CASTLEY: My question is to the Minister for Health. Occupational therapists train for two years post-graduate or four years undergraduate and then they are ready to work. We currently have a severe shortage of occupational therapists, and there is
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