Photo: tafeinternational

The Andrews Labor Government today announced $50 million to help TAFEs support their most vulnerable students to get the training they need to get a good secure job.

The Community Service Funding supports Victorian TAFEs to give students literacy and numeracy support, extra help with study, additional learning space and specific support for Koorie Learners and Staff, people with a disability and culturally and linguistically diverse people.

It will provide for social welfare support, including counselling and referral, and services to help students get job ready with help writing resumes, preparing cover letters and getting ready for interviews.

The funding also supports Skills and Jobs Centres, established by the Labor Government for Victorians looking to study at TAFE to advice on training and employment.

The Labor Government brought back the funding after the previous Liberal Government cut this essential support for vulnerable students when they slashed funding to TAFE and closed campuses across Victoria.

This Community Service Funding means students have the resources they need to take full advantage of the boost to Victorian TAFEs announced in the Victorian Budget 2018/19.

The Labor Government’s record investment in major road and rail projects, new schools and hospitals, support for Victorians living with a disability and historic action to curb family violence has created massive demand for skilled workers in these industries.

We know that the cost of training can act as a barrier to getting the right skills so this Budget breaks down that barrier. The Budget is delivering $172 million to make 30 priority TAFE courses and 18 pre-apprenticeship courses free, with no tuition and more Victorians will be able to access training, with $303.8 million to create more than 30,000 new training places.

The Budget is also modernising apprenticeships, with $43.8 million to revamp learning materials, ensure consistent industry standards with new independent assessments, and bring back trade papers to recognise these qualifications.