Institute director Elizabeth McGregor said that North Coast TAFE continues to work with community and industry to ensure that its facilities deliver highly relevant training in the Manning.

"Stage one of the work at Taree was delivered for the start of 2015," Ms McGregor said.

"Students have benefited this year from a modernised library and customer service hub.

"The hub has new group learning spaces that have proved popular. And the updated technologies are widening our students' access and choices.

"Planning for stage two is nearing completion and is focused on ensuring our facilities are built for the future we need to be sure that we keep responding to changes in industry throughout the Manning and in the broader education landscape," Ms McGregor said.

"It's clear that training in aged care and nursing remain vital to the Manning, and facilities for both will be upgraded.

"What's changed since 2012 is that we intend to also equip the facility to train people for emerging new jobs in allied health as well.

"We're currently working on the final stages of design and then we'll go to tender, which has us on track for completion in 2016.

"While it is a year later than we had initially planned, we're confident that the new design will ensure our training stays relevant as industry demand shifts and that we can continue to deliver the graduates that industry in the Manning requires".

Ms McGregor said that North Coast TAFE was working hard to grow its presence in the region.

"2014 was a year of record enrolments for our institute, and demand in 2015 has remained strong. We see many opportunities for the future our investment in stage two of this latest capital works at Taree will allow us to remain at the forefront of training in the Manning".

For more information contact Elizabeth McGregor, North Coast TAFE institute director on 6586 2212.