The Andrews Labor Government is rebuilding Victoria’s struggling TAFE system, with Melbourne’s William Angliss Institute to share in the first $20 million of emergency funding to save campuses at risk of collapse.
New figures have revealed the extent of damage of the Liberal’s cuts to TAFE, with a forecast losses of $71.8 million across the sector for 2014.
In response to this crisis, Acting Premier and Minister for Education, James Merlino, today joined Minister for Training and Skills, Steve Herbert, at William Angliss Institute to announce that it is one of seven TAFEs eligible for fast tracked funding from the $320 million TAFE Rescue Fund.
The fast tracked funding will help TAFEs in financial turmoil to stay afloat, so they can retain staff and improve training, courses and job opportunities for students.
The Labor Government’s $320 million TAFE Rescue Fund is the first step to repairing our TAFE system after the previous Liberal Government’s TAFE cuts brought the sector to its knees.
The TAFE cuts hit William Angliss hard, resulting in campus closures, job losses, courses being cut and an overall decline in the training market.
This fast tracked funding will help William Angliss rebuild and strengthen its operations for 2015 and beyond.
Quotes attributable to Acting Premier and Minister for Education, James Merlino
“The Liberal’s TAFE cuts made it so much harder for our kids to get skills, get a job and build a better life.”
“The Labor Government is rebuilding our TAFE system and rescuing institutes like William Angliss, so young Victorians can get the skills they need for the jobs they want.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Steve Herbert
“This is an emergency. With TAFEs running up more than $70 million in losses last year, there are TAFE campuses across Victoria on the brink of collapse and our TAFE Rescue Fund will keep them alive.”
“With the Andrews Labor Government’s support, students and employers can now be confident that William Angliss will continue to deliver high-quality training well into the future.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020