In a move to bolster the education sector and promote skill development, the Albanese Labor Government has announced a significant investment of $1.5 million into Victoria University’s Sunshine campus.
The investment is part of the broader TAFE Technology Fund initiative aimed at fostering growth in Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions across Victoria.
Funding has been allocated to procure state-of-the-art machinery aimed at bolstering the development of the Western Melbourne Precinct for Advanced Manufacturing Training.
The cutting-edge tools are essential for cultivating the expertise necessary for advanced manufacturing and engineering roles, contributing to Australia’s homegrown innovation.
The initiative also forms a segment of the $21.8 million Tranche 2 of the TAFE Technology Fund. Spanning both tranches, TAFEs nationwide will benefit from a total of $50 million, facilitating enhancements and expansions in their facilities, encompassing laboratories, workshops, advanced equipment, and simulated learning environments.
This investment builds on opportunities created through the government’s Fee-Free TAFE initiative, which removed financial barriers to enrolment for over 355,000 Australians in 2023.
More than 48,500 Victorian students enrolled in Fee-Free TAFE last year, including over 14,000 in dual sector providers like Victoria University.
The growing number of people across Victoria training in essential areas of our economy is helping Australia respond to skills shortages and prepare for our country’s future.
The Albanese Government, working with State and Territory Governments, is funding an additional 300,000 Fee-Fee TAFE and VET places nationwide over the next three years.
According to Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP students across Victoria are benefiting from our commitment to reinvigorating the VET sector, with $8.6 million going to the state over Tranches 1 and 2 of the TAFE Technology Fund.
“This investment goes to the heart of our government ensuring that no student in Victoria is left behind or held back, especially as the economy transitions and adapts to structural change,”
“The TAFE Technology Fund targets campus infrastructure so that TAFEs in Victoria are equipped to deliver training to the standards expected by industry and students.” he said.
Federal Member for Fraser, Dr Daniel Mulino MP says by removing financial barriers, Fee-Free TAFE has played a vital role in encouraging people from all backgrounds into training.
“Victoria University has several innovative programs to attract and retain young people who have traditionally faced barriers to tertiary education; and has signed up to a number of partnerships with organisations to provide a highly skilled workforce in areas of demand,” Mulino said
“Almost half of VU students are the first in their family to go on to tertiary education and its rate of student equity participation is 34%; double the national average of 17%,”
“VU is clearly doing a lot of things right in the skills and training sector and this funding will help them skill more manufacturing workers for a future made in Australia.” he said.
As the university continues to harness these resources, it paves the way for transformative learning experiences and fosters a dynamic environment for academic growth and achievement.
VU will use the $1.5 million to not only fund the advanced manufacturing equipment but to train apprentices and up-skill a new generation of workers in the following qualifications:
- Certificate III in Engineering – Fitting/Machining
- Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade
- Advanced Diploma of Engineering (new offering in 2024)
- short courses to upskill existing workforce.
More than 48,500 Victorian students enrolled in Free TAFE last year, including over 14,000 in dual-sector providers like VU.
VU’s Chief TAFE Officer Wayne Butson says the number of people across Victoria studying in essential areas of our economy is helping Australia respond to skills shortages and prepare for the country’s future.
“For over 100 years, VU has proudly delivered TAFE courses, apprenticeships, traineeships and customised training programs to meet the growing and changing needs of Australian industry and the increasing skills requirements of the workforce,”
“This $1.5 million investment will have a positive and tangible impact on hundreds of manufacturing students who inevitably and successfully find employment across the west of Melbourne.” Mr Butson said.
