Considering a career change or upskilling? TAFE NSW Ultimo might just be the place for you. TAFE NSW Ultimo stands as the largest TAFE college in NSW. It is located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. But its story stretches back much further than you might think.
Let me tell you about its history. The institution now known as TAFE NSW has been training Australia’s workforce for over 140 years. It has adapted to industry needs.
Back in 1833, TAFE NSW was known as The Sydney Mechanics School of Arts. This educational institute held its first class in mechanical drawing. The NSW State Government took over Sydney Technical College in 1883. This date is often cited as the birth of TAFE NSW. The college initially offered courses in applied sciences, engineering, and trades.
Student numbers grew. The Sydney Technical College moved to a new, larger campus at Ultimo in 1891. The Powerhouse Museum’s origins can also be traced back to NSW’s first Technological Museum. It was built in 1893 at Sydney Institute.
The 1949 Technical Education and NSW University of Technology Act was legislated to recognize a technical education system. This Act marked a significant step forward in the state’s commitment to vocational education. Australia’s post-WWII industrial boom created a demand for technical education. This was especially true for major projects like the Snowy Mountains Scheme.
The Technical and Further Education Commission was established with Commonwealth funding in the 1970s. Sydney Technical College was relaunched as TAFE NSW. It soon became an educational institution with its own administration.
More than 900,000 students have passed through Sydney Institute. Graduates include aviator Charles Kingsford Smith and journalist Ita Buttrose. There is also minister Ted Noffs and social commentator Eva Cox.
The largest TAFE in NSW is TAFE NSW Ultimo. TAFE NSW Ultimo and TAFE NSW Haymarket are in one of Sydney’s strongest education precincts. They are surrounded by Central Station, UTS, the ABC, Sydney University, Chinatown and Sydney’s CBD.
In 2018, a three-story refurbishment of a 125-year-old building was completed. It provided modern administration offices for staff. The building’s heritage-listed nature required special expertise. Heavy doors at the entrance had heritage significance but did not comply with accessibility standards. Accredited Certifiers developed performance solutions. They featured glass doors that opened into a large foyer.
TAFE NSW adopted a centralised model in 2017. This united 150 locations state-wide. TAFE NSW continues to evolve to meet the skills demand of industry and communities. It also focuses on the needs of learners across NSW.
So as you stand here, remember that TAFE NSW Ultimo is more than just a college. It’s a place of history. It’s a place of opportunity. It is ready to help you create your own story.