The Andrews Labor Government’s Free TAFE initiative will be the latest arsenal in the bid to transform Victoria’s child and family services sector by delivering the next generation of child protection, youth and community care workers.
Announced as part of the Victorian Budget 2018/19, 30 priority TAFE and 18 pre-apprenticeships courses will be made fee free, focusing on the skills our state needs.
It includes a Certificate III or IV in Community Services, which can lead to a variety of jobs within Victoria’s child and family services system, including community care or support workers, youth support workers, case workers, family support workers and residential care workers.
Additional skills training could open up employment opportunities even further, leading to specialist jobs in the fields of family violence, mental health or alcohol and drugs support.
Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos says the Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative aims to boost the number of people completing a Community Services certificate.
Ms Mikakos today joined more than 160 leaders from the child and family sector at the fourth Roadmap Symposium to discuss the progress being made on the Government’s Roadmap for Reform.
The roadmap outlines a once-in-a-generation transformation to improve the lives of vulnerable Victorian children, young people and families by moving the focus from crisis response to early intervention and prevention.
Today’s symposium puts in place future directions to advance the Roadmap for Reform and deliver the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
The Labor Government is investing a record $858.6 million in the Victorian Budget 2018/19 to support vulnerable children and their families.
Further information can be found by downloading the new publication, Roadmap for Reform: Children and Families, Progress and Directions at .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos
“Protecting our kids shouldn’t just be a priority when they need a crisis response – that’s why we’re making an unprecedented investment in prevention and early intervention.”
“We will make sure Victorian families and children receive the help they need much earlier, so kids can lead safe and happy lives.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Training and Skill Gayle Tierney
“Skilled workers with the right qualifications are in demand right across Victoria and free TAFE courses across our growth industries will help us fill those gaps and get more Victorians into work.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020