When electrical teacher John Kokoszka first walked onto Broadmeadows Campus as an apprentice in 1989, it was still a relatively new campus.
Nearly four decades later, he's back in the classroom training the next generation of electricians – and still has his original student card.
As Broadmeadows Campus marks 40 years, John's story reflects the role the campus has played in shaping generations of workers across Melbourne's north.
“It was a new large campus that had just opened up; the facilities were obviously new,” John said.
“It was just a great time in my life. The social scene is what I really remember about the campus and the friendship groups that were formed. It was a supportive, happy environment.”
After completing his trade, John went on to run his own electrical business, working on everything from residential and commercial projects to highly specialised work wiring anti-terrorist and broadcast vehicles.
After decades in the trade, he felt drawn back to the classroom to give something back.
Returning to Broadmeadows as a teacher, John says what hasn’t changed is the importance of learning from people who’ve actually worked in the trade.
“It's important to have a tradesperson in the classroom to give them some perspective and create an environment for them that's completely relatable,” he said.
“Being able to interpret everything that they’re learning here and relating that to the real work – that’s definitely something that hasn’t changed for students.”
(John still has his original student ID.)
A trip down memory lane
For 40 years, Broadmeadows Campus has helped train the workers who keep Melbourne's north moving – and its history includes more than a few surprises.
When it opened in 1986, the then Broadmeadows College of TAFE was one of the largest TAFE projects undertaken in a single stage, built at a cost of $13.7 million.
But it didn’t open as the sprawling campus locals know today. Hard to imagine now, but Broadmeadows Campus began with just six single-storey buildings. Today, 17 buildings sit across the site – adding everything from health to STEM training facilities as industries, jobs and the community around it changed.
Community access was designed in from the beginning – a focus that continues today through facilities like the library and training restaurant.
Responding to workforce needs has always been part of that story.
One of the campus's more surprising chapters came in the 1990s, when Broadmeadows became home to a fully functional hangar and training aircraft. Not many TAFEs can say they once housed an anti-submarine warfare aircraft!
Today, that same space has taken on a new purpose. The former hangar is now home to trades training, with facilities supporting plumbing, electrical, engineering and other in-demand industries, including a dedicated plumbing simulation tower.
Since opening, generations of people have trained at Broadmeadows – including secretaries, childcare workers, chefs, cabinet makers, welders, security officers and many more – helping shape everyday working life across Melbourne’s north.
As Broadmeadows Campus marks 40 years, John says he's proud to still be part of its story.
“I'm proud that this institution is still here after 40 years. It directly correlates to the importance of this place – a place where people’s knowledge is shared,” John said.
A timeline: Broadmeadows Campus – 40 years of evolution
• 1986: Broadmeadows College of TAFE opens, training 5,500 students in its first year to support local jobs and industry.
• 1990-3: Training delivery expands through locations across Melbourne’s north and west, increasing access to skills beyond Broadmeadows.
• 1995: Renamed Kangan Institute of TAFE, honouring Myer Kangan OBE AO, founder of Australia's TAFE system.
• 1997-8: Mergers and campus growth extend training to Melbourne’s inner-east.
• 2004: Gunung-Willam-Balluk Learning Centre opens at Broadmeadows, strengthening dedicated support for First nations students.
• 2006: Automotive Centre of Excellence opens in Docklands, strengthening industry-aligned training.
• 2010: Renamed Kangan Institute.
• 2013: Broadmeadows Education First Youth Foyer opens on campus, supporting vulnerable young people into education and work in collaboration with Launch Housing.
• 2014: Merger with Bendigo TAFE expands reach across Victoria’s northern corridor.
• 2021: Trades + Skills Centre opens at Broadmeadows, modernising facilities and expanding trades training.
• 2025: Health and Community Centre of Excellence opens, responding to workforce shortages in health and care.
• 2026: Hume Tech School opens, poised to help young people across the region shape their future in STEM
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