More Victorians will get the support they need to get skills that lead to a job thanks to the expansion of a state-wide program to reconnect Victorians with training by the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney today visited Federation University’s Ballarat campus to announce a $12 million boost to expand the Reconnect Program by a further 17 projects, to 1800 Victorians across 55 local government areas.
The Reconnect Program targets early school leavers and the long-term unemployed by providing a range of services aimed at building participants’ resilience and workplace skills to prepare them for formal training and employment.
Participants will receive local support from community-based Learn Local organisations and TAFE Institutes to prepare for and undertake meaningful training.
The program has already worked with almost 3,000 people throughout Victoria. Of these, more than 1,170 have begun an accredited training course.
To make it easier to access training, the Government is investing $172 million to make 30 priority TAFE courses and 20 pre-apprenticeship courses that lead to jobs that are most in demand from Victorian employers tuition free.
The Victorian Budget 2018/19 is investing an additional $644 million to strengthen TAFE, address skills shortages and ensure all Victorians can access the training they need to get a good job.
The investment is in stark contrast to the previous Liberal Government, which cut over $1 billion from our TAFEs,
Quotes attributable to Minister of Training and Skills Gayle Tierney
“Reconnect is making things fair by giving every Victorian, no matter their postcode or background, access to the training and support they need to get a job.”
“Whether it’s making TAFE courses free or transforming local campuses, we’re rebuilding TAFE after years of devastating cuts by the previous Liberal Government.”
Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Geoff Howard
“We’re making record investments in TAFE and training – expanding Reconnect means more people in Ballarat will be able to access the skills they need to get a job.”
Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight
“Every Victorian should have the opportunity to access the training they need to get a job – by expanding Reconnect and making priority TAFE courses free, we’re making that a reality.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020