Wednesday, 31 August 2022

 Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:06): Last week I was proud to launch Victoria’s first-ever skills plan as part of National Skills Week. I was joined by leaders in industry, training and skills, higher education and adult community education and employers at Bendigo Kangan Institute Docklands. The Victorian skills plan sets the road map for strong pathways to employment and career opportunities that will insure our communities and our state well into the future. The skills plan is a key response to the 2020–21 Macklin review into Victoria’s training and skills system, which identified the need for deep and enduring collaboration. The plan has done just that. It is a dynamic, actionable plan that outlines the skills and workforce challenges of our state and how we can collaborate to build an innovative world-class training system.

For Victoria to thrive we need to draw on the strengths of everyone who contributes to the training and skills sector. Government, employers and workers need to work shoulder to shoulder with one purpose in mind: a high-quality accessible training system that delivers what students and industry need. We are working directly with industries to build a strong, viable and focused post-secondary system, and the Victorian Skills Authority is driving this important work.

Equally important is the work which will be undertaken by the commonwealth government, and I am proud that the work of the Andrews Labor government and the success of free TAFE are recognised. I know our contribution to the national Jobs and Skills Summit will be significant, as this government has applied innovation and determination to rebuild, redefine and unite the post-secondary education system to achieve an empowered and skilled workforce for the future.