Mildura residents will have greater access to high quality training through Skills First TAFE Community Service funding this year thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney today joined staff and students at SuniTAFE in Mildura to announce $2.04 million in Community Service funding and to open the new Skills and Jobs Centre.
Minister Tierney also announced a further $350,000 through the Skills First Regional Specialist Training Fund to help meet regional industry and local community training needs in the area.
The funding will enable SuniTAFE to address skills shortages among local industries and provide training in Certificate II in Rural Operations, Certificate IV in Agribusiness, and Certificate IV in Irrigation.
Skills First TAFE Community Service funding helps TAFEs deliver programs and activities that meet the community service standards expected of TAFEs.
This includes building networks with local organisations, supporting students and communities by providing inclusion, engagement, education and social support services, career advice and help with job readiness.
The new Skills and Jobs Centre is a one-stop-shop that will provide services for prospective students, employers, apprentices, trainees, and unemployed or transitioning workers.
Minister Tierney also visited SuniTAFE’s Dulka Yuppata Indigenous Training Centre, which provides gathering spaces and support to Koorie students across all campuses.
Since its opening last year, the SuniTAFE Skills and Jobs Centre has helped almost 1,370 people get the skills development, training and career support they need to find a job or move into further training.
The Skills First TAFE Community Service funding will help SuniTAFE provide classroom language, literacy and numeracy support for disadvantaged learners, particularly Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning, foundation and English language students and apprentices.
Language, literacy and numeracy support helps disadvantaged students to remain engaged in and successfully complete their studies, as well as having a positive impact on students’ confidence, self-esteem and post-training outcomes.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney
“Mildura locals deserve access to high quality training on their doorstep, and that’s exactly what today’s announcement is delivering.”
“We are responding to rapid industry changes by matching industry needs with the right training for local students to help them get a job.”
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp
“This announcement is a great outcome for Mildura – it is directly addressing the training and skills needs of our community and ensures everyone has access to the advice and support they need to succeed.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020