Trade wins

ALP candidate for Shellharbour, Lylea McMahon has won her fight for a trade school for Shelharbour's youth. Two new trade schools for the Illawarra will be established under the Iemma Government's Learn or Earn Policy.

"I have been fighting hard for a trade school for the youth of Shellharbour since day one.

"I am delighted that Shellharbour will be home to one of the new trade schools " it shows only a Labor Government is committed to finding real solutions to help our young people," Ms McMahon said.

"One of the major issues in the electorate is youth unemployment and I am pleased to see Morris Iemma has listened to the concerns of local families and delivered trade schools for the area.

"The location of a Trade School at Shellharbour Tafe is ideal as it will allow for a number of the local schools to be involved.

"The Trade School will provide great opportunities for young people across our region by linking schools with industry and TAFE - providing excellent vocational education as well as helping young people move from school into real jobs.

The Trade Schools will:

"? be located at Wollongong and Shellharbour TAFE campus

"? offer training in construction, metals and engineering (Wollongong) and automotive and health care (Shellharbour)

"? offer enrolment in school-based apprenticeships, traineeships and other vocational qualifications

"? synchronise timetables with local high schools to allow senior students to continue studying other HSC subjects at their usual school.

"The trade schools are also a bonus for local business as they will have job-ready graduates available to work in key skills shortage areas, faster," Ms McMahon said.