Prime Minister Julia Gillard, School Education Minister Peter Garrett and Federal Member for Perth Stephen Smith (Pictured here with MPA WA CEO Murray Thomas) joined together on March 26th 2011 to officially open the new John Forrest Trade Training Centre. The new Trade Training Centre received more than $2.5 million as part of the Trade Training Centres in Schools Program. The Trade Training Centre, ( partnered with MPA Skills - the principal training arm of the Master Plumbers and Gasfitters Association and Master Painters Australia WA Association ) like others around Australia, will provide students with the training opportunities and experience they need to take the next step towards further education and employment. The facility will provide training directly relevant to various local industries, including painting and decorating.

The Trade Training Centre will also be used for Try a Trade programs that allow students in years 9, 10, 11 and 12 to take part in a two-day program focussing on either plumbing or painting and decorating. At full capacity, the centre will train 60 pre-apprentices each year and 1500 Try a Trade students each year. All of these programs are being made available to all schools in the Perth Metropolitan region and beyond.