The Enterprise and Training Companys (ETC) Skills Training Centre was officially opened on October 25.

ETC chief executive officer Jenny Barnett said the centre was designed to train the workforce of the future in the areas of childcare, hospitality, retail, aged care and business.

Mrs Barnett said ETC wanted to provide students with experience working in a very real simulated environment to really match the environment in a workplace situation.

She said it was much more exciting to have experiential learning.

Aged care students are honing their skills in how to care for the elderly by using mannequins, lifters and the latest equipment.

Hospitality students gain experience in a purpose-built cafe which converts into a retail space.

Our Skills Training Centre will enable students to have exposure to different industries all in one location, Mrs Barnett said.

The students were involved in creating the spaces.

The childcare students, for example, were tasked with designing their room from scratch.

ETC general manager training Karen Busby said it was all about the students and about creating an environment which encouraged innovative learning.

She said ETC heard all too often from employers there were skills gaps in their businesses and they needed new staff ready to hit the ground running.

The ETC Skills Training Centre will go a long way towards addressing this need, Ms Busby said.

Childcare student Annelise Myhill said the Skills Training Centre had set the students up for success going into the workforce.

We are confident, we are happy and we are excited, she said.

This has really been an opportunity for so many people.

The first cohort features about 70 students. ETC hopes to bring in students down the track from Taree and Kempsey.

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