South West locals will benefit from a $15 million Andrews Labor Government commitment to establish one-stop-shop Skills and Jobs Centres across Victoria.
Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert visited Warrnambool this afternoon, where he announced the organisation will receive $1 million towards its Skills and Jobs Centre.
The new hub, to be established at the Old Courthouse Building, will be the first point-of-call for students looking to start training, workers needing to reskill, unemployed workers needing support for retraining and work placement and for employers.
The former Liberal Government’s cuts to the training sector came at the same time unemployment was at extremely high levels.
Youth unemployment in the South West under the former Government skyrocketed to 18 per cent in August 2014 compared to 14.6 per cent in August 2015 under the Labor Government.
These centres will help link jobseekers and employers to ensure they’re engaged in quality training that’ll lead to a job at the end of their course.
Each Skills and Jobs Centre will be tailored to meet the needs of the local community and industries, with coordinated, intensive support services.
The Labor Government recognises that strong industry links are vital in boosting outcomes for students to make sure they get a job after they finish training.
The centre will be up and running by the end of the year.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert
“Our election commitment to create Skills and Jobs Centres will help all our TAFEs build on those vitally important links with industry to make sure Victorians get the skills they need to find a job.”
“This Government is committed to making sure locals in the South West have quality access to training so they can get off the treadmill of unemployment and onto the footpath of success.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“The South West Skills and Jobs Centre will eliminate confusion about where to get help for locals who want to start training or re-skill in a new industry.”
“The Andrews Labor Government is committed to making sure locals in and around the South West have access to quality training, no matter their age or circumstances.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020