Australian Government Minister for Vocational and Further Education, Andrew Robb AO MP, will officially open the bakery at CDU’s Palmerston campus on October 4.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Helen Garnett said the $1.26 million facility was built in response to the interest and demand for CDU’s bakery courses.
“The new building further cements CDU’s and the Northern Territory Government’s commitment to vocational infrastructure in the Top End,” she said.
“By allowing our students to work with modern and first-rate facilities, we hope to produce the highest quality graduate.”
Bakery courses were introduced at the Palmerston campus in 2002 and were initially run from the campus kitchen. As the demand for bakery courses quickly increased, it became evident that a custom-built bakery facility was required.
Construction on the bakery building was completed in February 2007 and features a custom-built bakery practical area, change rooms and amenities, and a small servery for bakery sales. The funding of $1.26 million emanated from the Commonwealth Government as part of its support for vocational education and training to the Northern Territory.
Bakery coordinator/lecturer and DEET Trainer of the Year 2007, Robert Schwerdt said the new bakery building would open a whole range of opportunities for bakery students.
“As bakery techniques continue to evolve it’s great to see that we have state-of-the-art facilities right here at CDU,” Mr Schwerdt said.
“Being able to work in a modern facility such as this gives our bakery students every chance of success at national competitions.”
The bakery currently accommodates 24 apprentices and 17 non-apprentices with all produce from the bakery sold to staff and students.