Premier

Mildura Skills And Jobs Centre Open For Business

15 March 2016

The Andrews Labor Government is boosting training and job support for Mildura locals through SuniTAFE’s Skills and Jobs Centre which is now open for business.

Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert officially opened the centre this morning, during a visit to Mildura. It’s one of more than 20 centres opening around the state, thanks to $16 million from the Labor Government.

TAFE institutes in regional Victoria received $7 million from the fund, including SuniTAFE which received $1 million for its Skills and Jobs Centre.

The money will help SuniTAFE better meet the needs of the local community as well as industry by providing relevant skills to meet the needs of the changing economy.

The hub, located in the heart of Mildura on Eighth Street, will be the first point-of-call for students looking to start training, workers needing to reskill and unemployed workers needing support to re-entre the workforce.

It will also link jobseekers and employers and ensure people are engaged in quality training that will lead to a job.

Data from the Department of Education and Training shows 40 per cent of employers in the region had concerns in meeting their skills needs in 2014, under the previous Coalition Government.

With youth unemployment in the area at 11.2 per cent, the centre is well placed to work with young locals to support them in moving into training.

During his visit to Mildura, Mr Herbert also opened SuniTAFE’s new Health Training Facility which has been built with $2.15 million from the State Government.

The new purpose-built nursing and aged care training facilities feature a simulated nursing clinical environment providing students with “real life” experiences to complement the existing work placement of their program.

The new facilities will also allow SuniTAFE to increase the delivery of diploma and advanced diploma level courses.

The Labor Government is supporting SuniTAFE to make sure Mildura locals have access to quality training. The institute has received an additional $7.82 million from the Government, including $4 million from the TAFE Rescue Fund.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills and Member for Northern Victoria Steve Herbert

“This brand new Skills and Jobs Centre will help SuniTAFE build on those vitally important links with businesses in Mildura to make sure locals get the skills they need to find a job.”

“Every Victorian should have access to quality training so they can get off the treadmill of unemployment and onto the footpath of success.”

“SuniTAFE has such an important role to play in training Victoria’s future workforce so it’s vitally important we support them in offering quality training.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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