Mayors to open new Christchurch Campus

Mayors Tim Shadbolt And Bob Parker To Open New Sit Campus

Two of New Zealand’s most high-profile politicians - Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt and Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker - will share the honours of opening the Southern Institute of Technology’s new Hornby campus, in Christchurch, on Monday.

SIT chief executive Penny Simmonds said the specialist trades campus would provide the most up-to-date purpose-built training workshops for the more than 1000 students enrolled there.

“We’ve spent almost $8 million on this facility and believe Canterbury industries will continue to benefit from it and the skilled trainees it produces.”

Ms Simmonds said the Hornby campus was a far-cry from SIT’s early Christchurch days, when it first began offering automotive and construction trades training at Wigram Airbase. “Back then we operated from a hangar and classroom leased from Ngai Tahu.”

SIT now offers several trade courses including automotive engineering, collision repair, electrical, refrigeration and construction, as well as community mental health, call centre and elite sport training. The Zero Fee Scheme is also available for approved programmes.

A Tertiary Education Commission review highlighted the success enjoyed by SIT students who had come from smaller, rural schools. “It also found it was an ideal educational choice for those who respond well to a smaller, more supportive and industry focused learning environment,” Ms Simmonds said.

The official opening will take place at the Hornby campus, 60 Waterloo Road, on Monday, May 31, at 2pm.

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