Students in Melbourne’s west will have access to a new, world class training facility thanks to $10 million from the Andrews Labor Government’s TAFE Rescue Fund.
The Sunshine Skills Hub at Victoria Polytechnic hub will feature a health and community services centre of excellence and an innovation and incubation hub.
It will also house a cafe, gymnasium and bookshop. The hub will support the development of industry partnerships, increase vocational education opportunities and reinvigorate the local community.
The $35 million centre is jointly funded by Victoria University, who are providing $20 million and the Ian Potter Foundation, which is contributing $5 million.
The Labor Government is making sure locals in Melbourne’s west have access to the best training facilities and equipment.
The institute has also received almost $800,000 for new state-of-the-art equipment – including paramedic pods and health simulation equipment - thanks to the Labor Government’s Specialised Teaching Equipment initiative.
The Labor Government is overhauling Victoria’s training and TAFE system through Skills First, guaranteeing funding to secure the future of TAFE and making sure Victorians have the right skills for the jobs of the future.
Skills First builds on the Government’s investment in TAFE over the last two years – including new buildings, reopening campuses, new courses and the latest cutting edge equipment.
A new united TAFE Victoria brand will promote the hundreds of high-quality, industry linked courses on offer and will show students and industry that TAFEs are government-backed providers, each with their own unique expertise and specialisation.
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
“We’re working with all TAFEs and dual sector universities, including Victoria Polytechnic, to help them better align training delivery to the skills people need to get the jobs they want and that will meet industry need.”
“Through Skills First, the Andrews Labor Government is putting TAFE and the dual-sector universities at the centre of the government-funded training system starting with $164 million in extra funding for institutes in 2017.”
Quote attributable to Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman
“The Sunshine Skills Hub will increase access to skills training and job creation for young people across Melbourne’s thriving western suburbs.”
Quote attributable to Member for Footscray Marsha Thomson
“We’ll always support Victoria Polytechnic to make sure it has the resources and equipment needed to train locals now and into the future.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020