Thursday, 24 February 2022

Western Metropolitan Region vocational education and training

Mr MELHEM (Western Metropolitan)

Incorporated pursuant to order of Council of 7 September 2021:

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Meadow Heights Education Centre with the member for Broadmeadows, the Banksia Gardens community centre and the Brite Institute in my role as Parliamentary Secretary for Skills and Training.

At the Meadow Heights Education Centre, I met with their staff Rebecca Egan and Funda Kara, who provide training and support for newly arrived migrants.

The Banksia Gardens community centre delivers programs and services to people experiencing disadvantage and poverty to help establish pathways into work.

I met with Rana Tbaileh, the recipient of the Victorian Learn Local Pre-accredited Leadership Award. In 2009, she moved to Australia from Palestine. She now works at the centre, providing invaluable training and support for students.

The Brite Institute provides training and support for students with a disability to help students have access to the skills they need to have a fulfilling career.

I met with their staff, CEO Robert Hannaford, RTO manager, Debbie Howden, general manager of employment and training Shane Daniel and their student of the year, Hien Nguyen.

I want to say a big thankyou to all the staff and students from these centres for all their hard work, particularly during the pandemic. They have provided their students with the life skills they need to get into the job market and succeed.

The Andrews Labor government will continue to invest in adult education to ensure that our most vulnerable are able to get good employment opportunities.