By Sarah Harman sharman@sunraysiadaily.com.au MEMBER for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes, during a visit to Mildura, has praised local schools for their passion and dedication to providing students with further education opportunities. On a tour of Mildura Senior Colleges Mildura Region Trade Training Centre, Ms Symes showed particular interest in the scope of courses on offer and the possibilities for expansion. Mildura Senior College principal Andrew Ough said the tour was a good opportunity to showcase the college, which was opened in April last year. She was very impressed with the different programs and with the fact that we offer students a high level of support in this part of the state, Mr Ough said. Were always looking to provide further scope where theres a need. At this point weve had an increase in enrolment numbers and, if that increase continues in a particular area, well look at expanding to cater for that. He said during the first two to five years of the colleges operation it was predicted there would be a continual rise in enrolments. From last year to this year there was an increase in VET studies across the whole trades training centre program, with more students becoming aware of VET as a study option, he said. For the first time at the campus, the college offered teaching in building and construction, with four classes already filled to capacity. Last year the centre enrolled 200 students at the Deakin site, and this year a further 350. 06 Mar 2015 Sunraysia Daily, Mildura VIC