The Andrews Labor Government is giving jobseekers in North West Victoria better access to training and career counselling, as SuniTAFE’s new mobile Skills and Jobs fleet hits the road.
Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney today visited SuniTAFE’s Robinvale College to launch the new mobile Skills and Jobs Centres, delivered through a $1.3 million Labor Government investment.
The fleet of four vans will visit schools, community centres and workplaces in areas with limited or no direct access to TAFE and training – including Charlton, Kerang, Robinvale and other towns – to provide locals with free advice to better connect them to education, training and employment opportunities.
The mobile Skills and Jobs Centres will provide services including pathways to training, career counselling, resume and interview preparation – building strong connections with employers and industry to ensure the needs of local communities are met.
The project will employ two new specialist staff – with a particular focus on supporting young people, retrenched workers, women returning to work, mature aged workers, Aboriginal Victorians and people living with disability.
The mobile fleet is an outcome of community consultation through the Mallee Regional Partnership and Loddon Mallee RDA committee and enhances SuniTAFE’s existing Skills and Jobs Centres in Mildura and Swan Hill, which supported about 500 people with career and training advice last year.
The Labor Government has also invested in similar initiatives at GOTAFE and Bendigo Kangan Institute. There are more than 30 Skills and Jobs Centre sites operated by TAFEs and training providers in Victoria, with the Government investing more than $16 million to provide expert advice and opportunities to Victorians.
Since 2014, the Government has made a record $3.2 billion investment to rebuild TAFE and support universities and higher education so Victorians have access to high quality education and rewarding career pathways.
Quote attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney
“The new SuniTAFE mobile Skills and Jobs Centres are vital in ensuring every Victorian has access to world-class training and career pathways, no matter where they live – which is why we’ve invested in them.”
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp
“This is great news for Mallee locals and will ensure they can get the skills they need for the jobs that are out there – in turn, helping our local community and economy.”
Quote attributable to SuniTAFE acting CEO David Harris
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to provide a Skills and Jobs service to all communities in the Mallee – the mobile fleet will visit communities large and small and deliver support that wasn’t previously available.”
Reviewed 27 April 2022