Bendigo will be home to some of the most advanced skills and training facilities in the state with funding from the Andrews Labor Government for a new education precinct.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney today joined Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan and Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards to confirm close to $60 million in the Victorian Budget 2018/19 to build a world-class new education precinct at Bendigo Kangan Institute McCrae campus.
The new precinct will include a new Learning Hub, a new Industry Innovation Centre and the relocation of the current Bendigo Technical Education Campus.
The new education precinct is a crucial part of the Bendigo CBD revitalisation, alongside funding in the Budget for a new GovHub and land for new Bendigo Law Courts.
The Labor Government is delivering the biggest change to TAFE and skills training in Victoria’s history and this Budget is making sure Bendigo has the facilities it needs to take full advantage.
We know that the cost of training can act as a barrier to getting the right skills so this Budget breaks down that barrier. It invests $172 million to make 30 priority TAFE courses and 18 pre-apprenticeship courses in these growth industries free.
To make sure every Victorian who wants a job can access quality training, the Budget also includes $303.8 million to create more than 30,000 new training places.
Our record investment in major road and rail projects, new schools and hospitals, support for Victorians living with a disability and historic action to curb family violence has created massive demand for skilled workers in these industries. We’re making sure people in Bendigo can get the training they need to be first in line for those jobs.
Here in Bendigo and right across the state, the Labor Government is getting things done – investing in the big projects Bendigo needs and the people we need to deliver them.
The recently opened Bendigo TAFE Health and Community Centre of Excellence is already working to train and upskill staff for the booming local healthcare sector, including the new $630 million Bendigo Hospital and to support the roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The Bendigo Kangan Institute will also receive $4.5 million in Community Service funding announced this week to support vulnerable students throughout their training and get them into a job.
Quote attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“We’re reducing barriers to TAFE to make sure people in Bendigo and right across the state will be able to get the skills they need for a good job.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney
“The Liberals slashed TAFE funding and closed campuses across Victoria. We’re rebuilding and transforming TAFE, putting it back on the map in Bendigo.”
Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan
“We’re supporting Bendigo TAFE to deliver the training this region needs to thrive – a new education precinct means we’re even better placed to grow the skilled workforce we need into the future.”
Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards
“Bendigo TAFE is so important for our community, this expansion means that it can continue to support locals to learn and work right here in Bendigo.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020