Wednesday, 18 June 2025

Melbourne Polytechnic

Report 2024

Sheena WATT (Northern Metropolitan) (17:34): I rise today to speak on the annual report from 2024 of Melbourne Polytechnic, one of Victoria’s leading TAFE institutions based in the Northern Metropolitan Region. I am here to highlight its pivotal role in preparing Victorians for the clean energy jobs of the future. This report is a testament to the power of public education – a story of transformation, opportunity and ambition. In 2024 alone over 21,000 students were enrolled across 289 courses, with 85 per cent reporting that they had achieved or were on the way to achieving their learning goals. That is more than just a number; it is a demonstration of our high-quality, accessible education – well, it changes lives. The Albanese and Allan Labor governments understand that education and skills are the keys to opportunity, and that is why we are delivering free TAFE for all Australians, removing financial barriers so that people can get the skills they need for secure in-demand jobs. Whether you are a school leaver, a career changer or someone returning to the workforce, free TAFE is opening doors for thousands of Victorians, especially in sectors critical to our state’s future. Nowhere is this more evident than the renewable energy economy, where it is in fact one of the fastest growing areas. And Melbourne Polytechnic are leading the charge in training the next generation of electricians, engineers, plumbers and builders, who will design, construct and maintain the infrastructure that powers Victoria’s net zero future.

In 2024 polytechnic was selected to lead two clean economy skills labs. One was focused on residential building and construction and the other on circular design and manufacturing. These labs were hands-on, industry driven and targeted at the real skills gap we need to fill to transition our economy. In another milestone, the Heidelberg campus across the way in the North-Eastern Metropolitan Region will soon become host to Victoria’s first future of housing construction centre of excellence, backed by $50 million from the Albanese and Allan Labor governments. It is going to train students in modern, sustainable and prefabricated construction methods to help deliver the 1.2 million homes that our nation needs.

Our investment in skills and TAFE is not just about economic productivity, it is about fairness and it is about inclusion. Melbourne Polytechnic’s programs actively support women in trades, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, new migrants and refugees. They are creating genuine pathways into work, not just training for training’s sake. We see this through inspirational stories, like that of Kulwant Singh, who arrived in Melbourne with overseas qualifications but right now is thriving in the construction industry thanks to a certificate III in waterproofing, or students like Alexandra Brearley, who was named the veterinarian nurse of the year and has already become a mentor and leader in her field.

Melbourne Polytechnic are also walking the talk on climate, and its Collingwood campus in 2024 became Victoria’s first all-electric TAFE. Designed with accessibility, sustainability and innovation at its core, the institute will also progress towards a net zero future by 2040 – the most ambitious of any TAFE in Victoria – so here’s to Melbourne Polytechnic. This is what public TAFE looks like under a Labor government: bold, inclusive, community driven and future focused. And because of free TAFE, because of Labor’s investment and because of institutions like Melbourne Polytechnic, Victoria is ready for the clean energy jobs of the future. And we are not just training people for work, we are building a workforce that will power our hospitals, our homes and our communities with renewable jobs. The road to net zero runs right through public TAFE, and thanks to Melbourne Polytechnic and Labor governments we are on track to build a skilled, sustainable and inclusive future that our state needs. Can I take a moment to commend the leadership of Melbourne Polytechnic for your deep commitment not only to student success but to a cleaner, fairer future for all Victorians.