Central Institute of Technology

Central Institute of Technology
Established	1900
Type	Technical and further education
Location	Perth, W.A., Australia
Website	www.central.wa.edu.au

Central Institute of Technology, Perth campus

Central Institute of Technology is a Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institution based in Perth, Western Australia. It is the equal oldest post-secondary educational institution in Western Australia, the largest TAFE institution in Perth, and one of the largest in Australia.^[1] Historically it was also known by the names of Perth Technical College, Central Metropolitan College of TAFE (CMC) and Central TAFE.

Campuses and facilities

The institute currently trains around 25,000 students each year and operates at five campuses^[2] in the Perth metropolitan area:

• Perth campus
• Leederville campus
• East Perth campus (eCentral)
• Mt Lawley campus
• Nedlands campus (Oral Health Care Centre of Western Australia)

Central Institute of Technology also caters for 1500 students from overseas each year and has offshore contracts for the delivery of Australian vocational qualifications in mainland China, Hong Kong, Mauritius, India and Kuwait.

Facilities at the main Northbridge campus include an art gallery and a simulated underground mine.^[3] East Perth campus, also known as eCentral, is one of the most technologically advanced campuses in Western Australia. The campus is partially powered by the largest single grid-connected solar system in the Perth CBD and one of the largest in the state.^[4] A new building at the East Perth campus provides state-of-the-art facilities for training in the mining and renewable energy industries.^[5]

An alliance between Central Institute of Technology, the University of Western Australia and Curtin University has resulted in the formation of the Oral Health Care Centre of Western Australia (OHCWA) in Nedlands.

In 2011, Central opened a $62 million training facility at 30 Aberdeen Street completing Central’s redevelopment of its city campus, linking all of the buildings in one education precinct. 30 Aberdeen Street houses training portfolios for the key skill areas of engineering, architecture design and building and programs, for the lifestyle industries including high tech massage and beauty therapy treatment rooms.

Location and transport

All of Central's campuses are located in the Perth inner metropolitan area, making them accessible by public transport. The Perth campus is within the Perth Cultural Centre, near the city's railway station and serviced by Transperth's Blue Cat bus.

Courses

Central offers over 400 courses in areas including:

• Business, Management, Real Estate, Legal and Finance
• Creative and Digital (Art, Design and Media; Information Technology and Information Services)
• Engineering and Building
• English and Community Access
• Health and Community Services
• Resources and Science and Sustainability
• Sport and Education
• Tourism and Languages

Central Institute of Technology award courses are in line with the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF). The AQTF establishes standard titles and levels for courses across Australia. The qualifications that are currently offered at Central include:

• Advanced Diploma
• Diploma
• Certificate IV
• Certificate III
• Certificate II
• Certificate I

Through its university pathway arrangements with Curtin University, The University of Western Australia (UWA), The University of Notre Dame (UND), Murdoch University and Edith Cowan University (ECU), students can also gain access into university.

Central also offers a range of short courses and customised training solutions for business.

Structure and employees

Central has a governing council and employs 1,300 staff in lecturing and administrative positions under the following learning portfolios:

• Art and Design
• Applied Design
• Building, Design & Construction
• Management and Business
• Community & Children's Services
• Community Learning and Partnerships
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Digital Content
• Engineering
• Finance & Property Services
• Health & Lifestyle
• Media
• Science, Resources & Environment
• Sport, Education & Disability
• Tourism & Languages

History

The Central Institute of Technology began as the Perth Technical School, holding its first classes from 16 May 1900 at the Old Perth Boys School and from various makeshift facilities along St Georges Terrace. The first enrolment was of 69 students in classes including chemistry, metallurgy, mineralogy, geology, woodwork, metalwork, art and design.^[1] In 1910 a purpose-built building was constructed to house the school.

Between 1905 and 1914, courses including pure mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology were taught at Perth Technical School on behalf of the University of Adelaide. This arrangement ceased in 1914 when the University of Western Australia became operational.^{[6]:pp.5, 13, 19}

The school continued to grow in the following decades, establishing additional campuses and offering a growing list of qualifications. In 1966, the institution became more focused on vocational training when areas such as chemistry and metallurgy split away into the West Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT) (now Curtin University).

In 1990, the institute became the Central Metropolitan College of TAFE following the amalgamation of affiliated colleges at Perth, Leederville, Wembley and Mt Lawley, as well as the Claremont School of Art and the WA School of Nursing. In late 2009 Central TAFE changed its name and branding to Central Institute of Technology.

The 1910 Perth Technical School building is listed in the Register of Heritage Places of the state Heritage Council as part of the group of buildings which includes Newspaper House, the WA Trustee Co and the Royal Insurance buildings.^[7] It is also listed in the National Estate.^[8]

Notable alumni

Notable alumni of the institute include Sir Walter James, Premier of Western Australia (1902 to 1904), Sir Charles Gairdner, Governor of Western Australia (1951 to 1963), federal Treasurer and Leader of the Opposition Sir Billy Mackie Snedden, architect William G. Bennett, businessmen Sir James Cruthers and Sir Lance Brisbane. Olympian Shirley Strickland taught mathematics and physics to returned servicemen in her spare time at the school in the period after World War II. Olympic swimmer Neil Brooks studied accountancy at the Leederville campus in 1978.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} A brief history on official website
2. ^ Campuses & Facilities on official website
3. ^ Collier P. New mine in the city opened under Northbridge Press release of Training Minister, 23 October 2009
4. ^ About Us on official website
5. ^ Sod turned on Central’s new Mining and Renewable Energy Training Centre on official website, 9 June 2010
6. ^ Dunne, J. P.; McKell J. H. (ed) I Will Arise: History of Perth Technical College 1900-1980
7. ^ Assessment documentation at Heritage Council of WA
8. ^ Perth Technical School (former) at Australian heritage photographic library

External links

• Official website