Deakin and The Gordon find a home in Werribee

Deakin University and the Gordon Institute of TAFE will establish their new learning centre in Bridge Street, Werribee.

The Werribee Learning Centre will be located at 9 Bridge Street in central Werribee, within easy walking distance of Werribee Station and buses.

The new facility will include:
* advanced teleworking infrastructure, including large interactive screens and audio visual facilities to allow staff and students to work and study;
* conference and meeting facilities to enable the community, Deakin staff and Deakin students to link with teaching and research opportunities across the world;
* wireless 'Deakin connect' spaces and workstations where staff and students can work while charging their mobile devices; and
* a connected staff drop-in point to provide small areas of shared, open plan workstations for academics coordinating clinical placements, supporting education delivery or working with the community.

The facility has been developed to offer courses and enhance awareness of Deakin's and the Gordon's programs, to build aspiration for and to offer higher education and pathways into the undergraduate programs that are offered at Deakin campuses in Geelong.

Courses to be offered initially include Bachelor Degrees and pathway programs, which include certificates, diplomas leading to Commerce (Finance and Accounting), Early Childhood Education degrees and an Associate Degree in Arts, Business and Science as well as industry skills.

Having commenced a pathway program through the facility, students will have the choice of completing the qualification there, transferring to one of Deakin's or The Gordon's campuses in Geelong or continuing their studies in "the cloud."

"The south-west of Melbourne is increasing its demand for higher education with a 30 per cent increase in students enrolling in university over the last two years and an anticipated population growth of 6.2 per cent per annum," Deakin Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jane den Hollander said.

"This facility will be stylish, engaging and meaningful to the local community to encourage further participation in ongoing education."

Acting CEO of The Gordon, Lisa Line said: "The Wyndham region is forecast to continue to be a major contributor to Victoria's growth over the next 30 years. We recognise that vocational education and training aligned with community needs is essential to support sustainable growth.

"The Werribee Learning Centre will complement other Wyndham initiatives including our role as the training partner for the new Wyndham Trade Training Centre."

The new facility is currently being refurbished and is expected to open for the start of the 2014 academic year.