Wednesday 6 December 2017

The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring all Victorians have access to high quality training through our Skills First TAFE Community Service and Reconnect funding programs.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing visited Federation Training’s Morwell campus today to announce a total of $3.1 million for Federation Training through the Skills First TAFE Community Service Fund and Reconnect programs.

Community Service funding helps TAFEs support students finish their training and secure a job by funding counselling, welfare and library services, as well as language and literacy programs.

Federation Training will use the $1.8 million in funding to deliver language, literacy and numeracy support, counselling, careers advice, library services and Skills and Jobs Centre services.

Federation Training’s Morwell Skills and Jobs Centre has assisted hundreds of Hazelwood power station workers with training advice, resume support, careers advice, employer and industry services and recognition of prior of learning.

Federation Training is also receiving $1.25 million to deliver the Skills First Reconnect program to help create pathways to accredited training for high needs learners in the Gippsland region.

This funding will support 160 students including outreach and engagement activities in the East Gippsland, Wellington, Latrobe, Baw Baw, South Gippsland and Bass Coast.

The program will provide a pathway for these students with a focus on local indigenous students and those with disabilities who often face complex barriers and require high levels of support to engage with training.

Participants will co-develop a Learning and Achievement Plan based on their skills, aspirations and goals. Student Case Management officers will use the plans to assist students re-engage with training and successfully transition into further education or employment.

Federation Training is one of 27 Learn Locals and TAFEs sharing in $19.8 million to support almost 3000 Victorians.

Through Skills First, the Labor Government is overhauling Victoria’s training and TAFE system, guaranteeing funding to secure the future of TAFE and making sure Victorians have the right skills for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing:

“This funding boost will make a real difference by providing more Gippslanders with the local support they need to complete their training and secure a job. And with targeted assistance, Federation Training will help more students to achieve their goals across the region.”

“I’m proud to be part of the Andrews Government’s work to make the long-term investments we need for a strong and innovative local TAFE sector that puts the needs of students first.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney:

“All Victorians deserve access to high quality training and that’s exactly what our Skills First TAFE Community Service Fund is delivering.”