Tuesday, 14 May 2024

 Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:42): I rise to update the chamber on how the 2024–25 budget continues to back Victoria’s world-class skills and TAFE system. A cornerstone of this budget is delivering a pipeline of skilled workers for the jobs of today and tomorrow, with a total of $555 million for the TAFE and training system. This includes $394 million to boost access to VET and free TAFE. Free TAFE has saved 170,500 Victorians more than $460 million in fees, with eligibility expanded to even more Victorians since last year, removing financial barriers to TAFE and ensuring more Victorians can access training for in-demand jobs and skills.

As reported in the Ranges Trader Star Mail today, a local qualified electrician and apprentice plumber described free TAFE as ‘a blessing’ and went on to say:

Wealth shouldn’t be a barrier to education.

…

Without free TAFE, it would have been probably almost impossible for me to make a sacrifice to upskill.

We need a pipeline of workers to build Victoria’s future infrastructure, and that is why we are investing over $11 million to continue to support apprentices, trainees and their employers. This includes funding for Apprenticeships Victoria and also funding for our highly successful apprenticeship support officer program. It has never been more important to have an adaptive, responsive training system on the balls of its feet. This is why $32 million over two years will also support retraining for high-priority industries.

Since 2014 this government has invested $4.6 billion into the TAFE and higher education system. By putting TAFE at the centre of our school system we are investing in training and skills in our community that our economy needs now and into the future.