Wednesday, 25 May 2022

Ministers statements: rural and regional vocational training

Ms THOMAS (Macedon—Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional Development) (14:19): I rise to update the house on how the Andrews Labor government is supporting training and skills throughout regional Victoria. We are acutely aware of the importance of training and skills to the future of the agriculture industry, the backbone of so many of our rural and regional communities. That is why we are making significant investments in our agricultural colleges through our $50 million agricultural college modernisation program. This program is delivering upgrades at agricultural colleges including Longerenong College near Horsham, Melbourne Uni at Dookie, South West TAFE in Glenormiston and Marcus Oldham College just out of Geelong.

We know how important it is to provide training and education relevant to the needs of industry and meaningful opportunities to young people who want to pursue careers in agriculture, and that is why the member for Buninyong is leading our government’s future of agriculture training in Victoria review—and I thank her very much for her work.

The Andrews Labor government saved TAFE from the cuts and neglect of those opposite. We are building the skilled workforce that regional Victoria needs, not just in agriculture but across a range of sectors where we are looking for skilled workers, and of course that includes nursing, community services and early childhood education. Key to this has been removing financial barriers to training with the introduction of free TAFE, and the results of this speak for themselves. There has been a 22 per cent increase in free TAFE enrolments in regional Victoria since 2018. Those opposite did not invest in regional TAFE. They padlocked our TAFE colleges. Unlike those on the other side, the Andrews Labor government will always support our TAFE system.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Before I call the member for Mildura, can I acknowledge in the gallery former ministers the Honourable John Pandazopoulos and the Honourable Andre Haermeyer, and former Deputy President Khalil Eideh—lovely to see you.