The Andrews Labor Government is restoring Bendigo Kangan Institute’s Community Service funding, with a $2.8 million boost to support students.
Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert joined Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards during a visit to Bendigo Kangan to announce the Community Service funding, which is part of the Labor Government’s $320 million TAFE Rescue Fund.
The fund is a boost for programs that support disadvantaged Bendigo residents’ access to training - such as the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) Young Mothers Program.
The program gives young mothers the opportunity to gain an education, work and life skills in a supportive environment with their babies.
Many of the young mothers involved in the program go on to further study through TAFE certificates or through apprenticeship programs.
The institute also plans to grow its Student Wellbeing Program at all of its campuses including Castlemaine and Echuca. The program supports students with issues that affect their learning.
Coalition funding cuts devastated TAFEs across the state, ripping away funding needed to provide vital student services and support for disadvantaged and vulnerable students.
Mr Herbert also opened Bendigo’s Skills and Jobs Centre which will be the first point-of-call for employers looking to take on an apprentice, students looking to start training, workers needing to re-skill and unemployed workers needing support to re-enter the workforce.
The Centre is one of 20 around the state, funded with $16 million from the Labor Government.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert
“TAFEs across Victoria help disadvantaged student’s access training and job opportunities and this funding will support some of the most disadvantaged members of the community.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards
“Bendigo Kangan plays such an important role in training Bendigo locals and we’re making sure it has the resources it needs to provide that quality training.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan
“We promised to support Bendigo Kangan TAFE to give locals access to training and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020