Tuesday, 14 May 2024

 Sheena WATT (Northern Metropolitan) (20:17): (878) My adjournment this evening is for the Minister for Skills and TAFE. Last week’s budget saw a record investment in this state’s TAFE system, with $555 million committed to this state’s TAFEs. Right across Victoria students can learn the skills they need in world-class facilities, and as our state continues to grow, our TAFEs also need to grow to meet workforce needs. Training the next generation of skilled workers in Victoria is key to ensuring that we have the workforce we need for the future. Some industries, though, need a little bit more help to grow than others. Those supporting our youngest learners need a little extra help. That is why this budget delivers an additional $370 million to attract, train and recruit the early childhood workforce with scholarships, traineeships and overseas recruitment.

But our tradies did not miss out. They are also getting their fair share with the establishment of the clean energy worker training centres so we can train up Victorians in renewable power so that every Victorian has the opportunity to be part of the renewable energy revolution, supporting of course the new SEC centre of training excellence, which will help train the workforce to support the fast-paced transition to clean, green energy. I know the folks at Kangan TAFE right across the Northern Metropolitan Region from Docklands to Broadmeadows, Cremorne and Essendon have been thinking a lot about our net zero future and the role of the automotive trades as more Victorians take up electric cars. My adjournment matter today is for the Minister for Skills and TAFE, as I said. There are so many different free TAFE courses in Victoria, but I am interested particularly to know: what are the most popular free TAFE courses to support the automotive industry in our state?