Victoria’s most vulnerable children and young people will be better supported by qualified workers thanks to an Andrews Labor Government funding boost to deliver TAFE training to an additional 700 residential care workers.
Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney today announced an additional $1.8 million to ensure all of Victoria’s 2,100-strong residential care workforce are able to meet mandatory minimum qualifications requirements for the sector, which came into effect at the beginning of this year.
The funding extension builds on the Labor Government’s $8 million investment to train 1,400 residential care workers and will ensure all workers across the sector hold at least Certificate IV in Child, Youth & Family Intervention (residential and out of home care).
Developed in collaboration with the residential care sector, industry training providers and the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, the training will be delivered across Melbourne and regional Victoria by five TAFEs including Melbourne Polytechnic, SuniTAFE, Bendigo Kangan Institute, Federation Training and The Gordon.
The residential care sector provides accommodation and support for vulnerable children and young people who, as a result of neglect or abuse, are unable to live with their family.
The project is being funded under the Regional and Specialist Training Fund, part of the Labor Government’s Skills First initiative, which is delivering training that meets the needs of regional industry and specific community needs.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney
“We’re proud to be investing in TAFE to ensure our state’s residential care workers get the quality training and skills they need to support some of Victoria’s most vulnerable young people.”
“This project is another example of how we are rebuilding our TAFEs to deliver training that makes a real difference in our communities.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos
"We now have a mandatory qualification for those who support our most vulnerable children.”
“New staff entering the workforce will also now be able to access this training because there is nothing more important than caring for children who are unable to live with their families.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eltham Vicki Ward
“This significant training initiative is supporting Victoria’s residential and out of home care workers to get the skills they need to remain working in this incredibly important, and challenging environment.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020