Bendigo locals will have access to more opportunities to get the skills they need to get a job thanks to $12 million for Bendigo Kangan Institute from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney visited the Bendigo City Campus today to announce the funding from the Stronger TAFE Fund, part of Skills First, which will allow TAFEs to focus on what they do best – train students.
The funding will make sure Bendigo Kangan has the resources needed to address industry skill gaps, deliver new innovative training and will help grow enrolments at the institute.
Through Skills First, the Labor Government is overhauling Victoria’s training and TAFE system, guaranteeing funding to secure the future of TAFE and making sure Victorians have the right skills for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
Skills First builds on the Government’s investment in TAFE since 2014 – which has included new buildings, reopening closed campuses, rolling out the latest cutting edge equipment and restoring quality to the system.
Ms Tierney also announced $1.7 million from the Government’s TAFE Rescue Fund to kick-start the development of a detailed feasibility study and masterplan for the revitalisation of the Bendigo City Campus.
In the last two years, Bendigo Kangan has received $14.5 million from the TAFE Rescue Fund, more than $5 million from the TAFE Back to Work Fund and $1 million for Skills and Jobs Centers from the Labor Government.
Earlier this month, a new united TAFE Victoria brand was launched to help TAFEs promote the hundreds of high-quality, industry-linked courses on offer at TAFE.
Victoria’s 12 TAFEs and four dual-sector universities will remain individual institutions, but the new brand gives them a strong collective voice as the centre of the government-funded training system.
A new website features every TAFE course offered by TAFEs and dual-sector universities in Victoria.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney
“The Andrews Labor Government will always support TAFE, that’s why we’ve created the Stronger TAFE Fund.”
“Our record investment in training and TAFE is changing the lives of everyday Victorians – while also making sure industry has the skills it needs for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”
“Transforming the training and TAFE sector after four years of cuts is no easy feat. That’s why we’re investing record amounts in TAFEs, including Bendigo Kangan, to make sure they’re up to the task.”
Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards
“I’m proud to be a part of a government that’s making our TAFEs stronger than ever. Bendigo locals deserve access to the best training possible and this extra funding will make sure they have that.”
Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan
“We’re making sure Bendigo Kangan Institute is equipped to provide the skills and training local people and industries need – to trsupport jobs and our regional economy.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020