The Andrews Labor Government is restoring Federation Training’s Community Service funding, with a $3.79 million boost to support vulnerable students.

Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing visited Federation Training’s Warragul campus to announce the Community Service funding, which is part of the Labor Government’s $320 million TAFE Rescue Fund.

The fund is a boost for vital programs that help disadvantaged Gippsland locals to access training and training support, including its Bubble Student Support Centre.

The increase in funding will allow Fed Training to expand the services on offer to meet expected student demand for support.  These services include student counselling, careers advice, literacy and numeracy support, apprenticeships support and library services.

The funding will also support the delivery of niche programs that are critical to local Gippsland industries and the community.

It will allow Federation Training to continue its great work in delivering courses in important areas such as electricity power systems, forestry, building and construction, hospitality, tourism, graphic design, IT, and Koori programs.

Coalition funding cuts devastated TAFEs across the state, ripping away funding needed to provide vital student services and support for disadvantaged and vulnerable students.

The Andrews Labor Government is supporting Federation Training to train the state’s future workforce through a number of initiatives including the TAFE Back to Work Fund, from which it received $2.6 million.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing,

“Federation Training plays such an important role in the training of Gippslanders and we’re making sure it has the resources it needs to provide that quality training.”

“The TAFE helps disadvantaged students to access training and job opportunities and this funding will support some of the most disadvantaged members of our community.”

“This $3.79 million in funding will mean Federation Training is able to give local apprentices and trainees the support they need to complete their training.”