The Andrews Labor Government is helping RMIT to better support indigenous students with a $1.2 million Community Service funding boost.
Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert made the announcement during a visit to the University this morning. The $50 million Community Service fund forms part the Labor Government’s TAFE Rescue Fund.
RMIT’s Indigenous Tertiary Access Program to be developed and delivered by the University’s Ngarara Willim Centre - is designed to improve educational pathways across both the university and VET sectors for Indigenous Victorians.
It will support early school leavers, mature age students and other Indigenous people experiencing disadvantage or difficulty in accessing education or training due to where they live or previous negative experiences.
The program will also look for opportunities to talk to businesses that employ Indigenous staff with a view to upskilling.
The funding will enable a dedicated coordinator to conduct information workshops in metropolitan, rural and regional areas, and work with individuals to help them develop educational and employment pathways.
Other initiatives will also benefit from the funding including a number of niche programs such as textile production and engineering, which support industry needs and provides students with the skills and experience they need to get a job or move into further training or study.
Mr Herbert also opened RMIT’s Skills and Jobs Centre, which will be one of three in the CBD. It will act as the first point-of-call for employers looking to take on an apprentice, students looking to start training, workers needing to reskill and unemployed workers needing support to re-enter the workforce.
The Centre is one of 20 around the state, funded from $16 million from the Labor Government.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert
“TAFEs and dual sector universities across Victoria help disadvantaged students to access training and job opportunities and this funding will help improve support for them.”
“RMIT plays an important role in training and educating locals and we’re making sure it has the resources it needs to provide that quality training.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020