Commercial Project Group is constructing a commercial kitchen, commercial cafe, other general learning areas or classrooms, and extending staff facilities.

Newman Senior Technical College principal Stephen Pares said the project was a response to growth.

The second commercial kitchen will expand the college’s training capacity and the commercial cafe will allow the college to integrate the hosting of events.

“The strength of our training is links with industry,” Mr Pares said.

A producer to provedore industry development day on Monday, as part of the Tastings on Hastings festival, is just one example of the type of event the school can host.

Mr Pares said the demand and growth in hospitality as a training area had been incredible.

“Hospitality is a big part of our local industry and it’s a flexible qualification,” Mr Pares said.

The new commercial kitchen will include a range of demonstration benches, commercial grade ovens and serveries.

The college will have the capacity to deliver two classes across the two commercial kitchens.

The commercial cafe will be used for school-based functions and training.

“It allows us to grow even more in that area,” Mr Pares said.

The project, valued at about $3 million, includes a federal government contribution of about $1.5 million.

The civil work started in June with the new facilities due to open at the start of the 2017 school year.

The building work is also an opportunity for the college’s construction students to learn about commercial construction.

The $3 million project is the first part of a three stage project.

The timing of the remainder of the work will be determined by funding.