Wodonga locals will have access to more opportunities to get the skills they need to get a job thanks to $5.4 million for Wodonga TAFE from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney visited the institute today to announce the funding from the Stronger TAFE Fund, part of Skills First, which will allow TAFEs to focus on what they do best – train students.
Through Skills First, the Labor Government is overhauling Victoria’s training and TAFE system, guaranteeing funding to secure the future of TAFE and making sure Victorians have the right skills for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
Skills First builds on the Government’s investment in TAFE since 2014 – which has included new buildings, reopening closed campuses, rolling out the latest cutting edge equipment and restoring quality to the system.
During the visit, Ms Tierney also visited the Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare warehouse. With the support of volunteers, FoodShare is able to collect and distribute enough food to equal 1.3 million meals each year.
Two programs funded by the Labor Government’s TAFE Back to Work Fund use the FoodShare warehouse, the Rural Operation Program and the Warehousing Work Ready Program.
The Rural Operation Program supported 12 long term unemployed people who worked with FoodShare to obtain their forklift licence and to develop chainsaw operations skills through working with Albury City Council.
Of the 12 jobseekers who participated in the program in 2016, six have found paid employment and three more transitioned into further education as a direct result of their involvement in this program.
In the last two years, Wodonga TAFE has received $2 million from the TAFE Rescue Fund, $2.5 million from the TAFE Back to Work Fund and $1 million for Skills and Jobs Centers from the Labor Government.
Last month, a new united TAFE Victoria brand was launched to help TAFEs promote the hundreds of high-quality, industry-linked courses on offer at TAFE.
Victoria’s 12 TAFEs and four dual-sector universities will remain individual institutions, but the new brand gives them a strong collective voice as the centre of the government-funded training system.
A new website features every TAFE course offered by TAFEs and dual-sector universities in Victoria.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney
“The Andrews Labor Government will always support TAFE, that’s why we’ve created the Stronger TAFE Fund.”
“Transforming the training and TAFE sector after four years of cuts is no easy feat. That’s why we’re investing record amounts in TAFEs, including Wodonga TAFE, to make sure they’re up to the task.”
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“I’m proud to be a part of a government that’s making our TAFEs stronger than ever. Wodonga locals deserve access to the best training possible and this extra funding will make sure they have that.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020