- Published:
- Monday 7 March 2016
The Andrews Labor Government is forging new links with Latin America in the vocational education sector to drive collaboration and open up new export markets in the region.
Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert officially welcomed a delegation of 14 senior education experts from Latin America who are in Victoria this week to learn more about the state’s vocational education system.
The delegates from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Mexico are here as part of the Victoria Invitation Program, a major inbound trade mission run by the Labor Government from March 7 to 20.
The aim of the visit is to strengthen partnerships in Technical and Vocational Education and Training between Victoria and Latin America and builds on the state’s largest ever education mission to Latin America, led by Mr Herbert last year.
The delegates will discuss mutual challenges and explore new opportunities for collaboration in the sector, and they’ll also have the opportunity to visit some of Victoria’s best TAFEs.
International education is Victoria’s largest services export, generating $5.6 billion for the state in 2015 and supports more than 30,000 jobs.
New figures also show more than 175,000 international students called Victoria home in 2015, a 12 per cent jump from the previous year.
While the majority of students are from Asian countries, the Government is forging links with new markets to grow and diversify the sector – with Latin America identified as a target market for Victoria.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert
“Latin America is such an important partner for Victoria in terms of international education – so we’re working hard to strengthen our relationship with governments and educational institutions in the region.”
“I’m excited that these 14 delegates will get to see some of Victoria’s finest vocational education facilities first-hand during their visit and I’m sure they’ll soon see why 175,000 international students call Victoria home.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis
“We are leading the country in exports and international education is our single largest services export sector.”
“The Andrews Labor Government has identified rapidly growing markets, like Latin America, where there is a high demand for education services and we will be strengthening our on-the-ground presence there by opening up a new Victorian Government Business Office later this year.”