The Andrews Labor Government has struck a deal with the NSW Government to end uncertainty for apprentices training at TAFE institutes outside their home state.
Minister for Training and Skills, Steve Herbert, announced the new agreement today during a visit to Wodonga TAFE, alongside representatives from both Wodonga TAFE and Albury’s Riverina TAFE.
Mr Herbert said the agreement will provide ongoing funding for Victorian apprentices to train at NSW TAFE institutes, and vice versa, supporting businesses in border communities like Albury-Wodonga to hire and train apprentices.
Mr Herbert said the new arrangement will overcome previous complexities in the way each state funds apprenticeship training, and changes in NSW Government policy, by allowing TAFE institutes to work directly with state government departments.
The Victorian Department of Education and Training will now work directly with TAFE institutes in NSW to fund cross-border apprentices. NSW officials will also be able to work directly with Victorian TAFE institutes.
While in Wodonga, Mr Herbert met with regional industry and employer representatives about emerging skills needs and challenges for the region.
The Andrews Labor Government’s $50 million TAFE Back to Work Fund will support public TAFE institutes, like Wodonga TAFE, to develop stronger partnerships with employers and industry, increase industry productivity and help get Victoria back to work.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills, Steve Herbert
“This agreement ensures that apprentices living in border communities can access the high-quality TAFE training they need to get a job.”
“The Andrews Labor Government will continue to work with the NSW Government to ensure training in border communities such as Albury-Wodonga meets the needs of local residents and industry.”
Facts:
- Currently, almost all Victorian “cross-border apprentices” train at Riverina Institute of TAFE in Albury at a cost of about $500,000 per year.
- Funding for NSW registered apprentices to train in Victoria is typically worth about $1.5 million a year to Victorian TAFEs.
- About 90 per cent of NSW apprentices studying over the border study at four Victorian TAFE institutes: Wodonga TAFE (comprising 45 per cent of cross-border apprentices); Bendigo Kangan TAFE (17 per cent); SuniTAFE (15 per cent) and GOTAFE (14 per cent).
Reviewed 19 August 2020