Thursday, 2 May 2024

Ministers statements: vocational education and training

Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:38): I rise to update the house on a significant milestone for our skills and TAFE sector. Completing your apprenticeship is a proud moment for thousands of Victorians each year. In years past trade papers were issued to completing apprentices, and in houses across the state, just like you would with a bachelor’s degree, they were proudly framed and hung on the wall. Trade papers recognise the successful completion of your apprenticeship. They are an official and tangible way of showing that you are skilled and job ready. That is why in 2019 we brought back trade papers, and since then I can confirm that more than 30,000 Victorians have been issued a trade paper. This means 30,000 more Victorians with the training they need for the jobs they want, 30,000 more Victorians making our economy stronger and more productive and 30,000 more skilled Victorians on building sites and in workplaces across Victoria – apprentices like Jack, who received his papers in January. For Jack, with a love of carpentry and woodworking, TAFE was a clear choice. He studied at Chisholm Institute and learned onsite with his employer, building the homes that we need to meet the housing demand.

This is just one more way that we are supporting a pipeline of skilled apprentices and in-demand workers. With more than 80 courses on the free TAFE list, including numerous pre-apprenticeships, Apprenticeships Victoria, apprenticeship support officers and the apprenticeships taskforce, I encourage anyone who is interested in doing a trade to consider an apprenticeship. It will position you for a job in an in-demand industry for decades to come, and it is a passport internationally for whatever work you want to undertake.