Geelong residents will have even better training options with the announcement today of a $500,000 Brumby Government grant to fund the planning and design phase of a redevelopment at the Gordon Institute of TAFE’s East Geelong Campus.
Skills and Workforce Participation Minister Jacinta Allan said the funding builds on the recent $316 million big overhaul of the state’s training sector.
“The Brumby Government is taking action to create a world-class training sector that will deliver for the future needs of students, industry and the economy,” said Ms Allan.
“This project will not only benefit the Gordon, but the entire Geelong region – and will deliver significant benefits for the community.” “This project will not only benefit the Gordon, but the entire Geelong region."
Member for Geelong Ian Trezise MLA said the funding would ensure the Gordon would be able to deliver quality education and training to more students.
He said the proposed upgrade was even more good news for Geelong residents after Premier John Brumby and Ms Allan announced a $316 million overhaul of the training sector earlier this week that will create 172,000 extra Government-supported training places.
Securing Jobs for Your Future will provide a Government-supported place for every eligible student who wants to train, re-train or boost their qualifications.
In a landmark deal with the Commonwealth, university-style loans will be available to students studying diploma and advanced diploma qualifications, giving them the option to defer upfront payment for training.
“Securing Jobs for Your Future is the largest single investment to the state’s training sector and would put students at the centre of the training sector,” said Ms Allan.
Key parts of the upgrade of Victoria’s training sector include:
• The establishment of a Victorian Training Guarantee, giving people the entitlement to access Government-subsided training at any time so long as they keep moving up the qualification scale for skills;
• The creation of up to 172,000 additional training places; and
• Funding the hiring of an extra 900 teachers and 500 non-teaching staff.