Two joint developments are underway in the Upper Hunter thanks to a partnership between Hunter TAFE and Muswellbrook Shire Council.

The first of these, the Sam Adams College is a $5.7 million accommodation facility that will house 63 students. Almost completed this is the first residential college of its kind for the area and has been enabled through a grant from the Commonwealth Regional Development Australia Fund, in a submission worked on jointly by Council and Hunter TAFE. This development will provide new options for young people studying and enable apprentices and trainees from other locations to work and study in Muswellbrook.

The second project is, a modern 1600 sqm tertiary education facility adjoining the Regional Library. The Muswellbrook Town Centre Tertiary Education Facility will be utilised as the centre for delivery of non-trade programs in Business and General Education, and for the delivery of Human Services programs including Hair and Beauty.

Funded from the Resources for Regions program, plus additional funds from Muswellbrook Shire Council, the development will also be a centre for Higher Education with the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) partnering with Hunter TAFE to co-deliver University programs. The first of these is likely to be the USQ Associate Degree in Mine Engineering. This will further support the expansion of technical programs at Hunter TAFE Muswellbrook Campus, including the Mining Skills Centre and other related trade areas.

Over the past six years Hunter TAFE has invested $3.5m into the campus to improve technical facilities, including the Electro -technology facility, centrepiece of the Mining Skills Centre, and the Automotive Training facility.