Community
8 August, 2025
Tech school designs unveiled
INNOVATIVE designs for the new South West Tech School have been unveiled, showcasing a future-focused facility that will benefit more than 7,500 students from 26 secondary schools across the region.
Set to be completed in Warrnambool in September 2026 with South West TAFE as tertiary partner, South West Tech School will provide free high-tech, hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs to local secondary school students.
It will bring schools, industries and TAFE together as students take on real-world problems, design their own solutions and get the skills they need for emerging jobs and industries.
Tech school director Rohan Keert said South West Tech School had been designed to facilitate collaboration and teamwork.
“Students told us that they prefer open, collaborative, and flexible spaces, and also highlighted the need for quiet, enclosed, or naturally lit environments, and that’s what these designs deliver,” Mr Keert said.
Programs will focus on key STEM related study and career options, such as robotics and agriculture technologies, green energy technologies, advanced construction and manufacturing, and art, media and content creation.
The design of the new facility prioritises accessibility, spaciousness and well-equipped facilities.
“We are on track to deliver one of the most innovative education projects in the world to students in the south west,” Mr Keert said.
He added that South West Tech School would elicit an immediate positive reaction from students, who will be met by robotic dogs and led to their learning spaces.
The Tech School was originally to be known as Warrnambool Tech School but its name has been changed to South West Tech School.
The Minister for Education approved the name change in late June.
SWTAFE led a comprehensive consultation process with schools, industry partners and staff.
The collaborative approach demonstrated strong regional support for the name South West Tech School, which more accurately reflects the school’s geographical reach and inclusive partnerships across the areas of Warrnambool, Glenelg, Corangamite, Moyne, and Southern Grampians.
The school will be centrally located at South West TAFE’s Warrnambool campus.
The design has been created in consultation with students, local teachers, First Nations advisory group, industry and community groups.
The $12.65 million project is funded by the Department of Education.
It includes relocating automotive studies to South West TAFE’s Sherwood Park campus, is funded by the Victorian Government, with the facility designed by Brand Architects.
The builder is expected to be appointed in October 2025.
Mr Keert said the Tech School was taking a new approach in integrating advanced technology.
“It’s not like the old model of technical colleges or schools but something new and exciting to connect south-west students to their futures through emerging and in-demand opportunities,” Mr Keert said.
South West TAFE chief executive officer Mark Fidge said the tech school would add another important piece to Warrnambool’s educational precinct.
“Like the library, it is a separate entity but adds to what we can offer to students and the community from the South West TAFE Warrnambool campus site,” Mr Fidge said.
More details about the new South West Tech School can be found at https://youtu.be/NDhVLdkYVyI
