Two innovative programs at Federation Training will receive $2.6 million in Andrews Labor Government funding to get more than 670 people get skilled up for jobs in growing industries.

Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing, announced the grants from the Labor Government’s $50 million TAFE Back to Work Fund during a visit to the institute’s Morwell campus today.

The Labor Government will provide $2.1 million to help deliver training that connects the horticulture and hospitality industries, to fill the gap of skilled workers in the Gippsland region.

The grant also includes $465,000 to allow Federation Training and the Gunaikurnai Land & Waters Aboriginal Corporation to establish a partnership to deliver improved conservation and land management training.

The $50 million TAFE Back to Work Fund is part of the $350 million funding boost to the TAFE system, delivered in the 2015-16 Budget. This is in addition to the $20 million fast-tracked earlier this year to shore up the finances of financially vulnerable TAFEs.

The Andrews Labor Government is committed to saving our public TAFE institutes and making them financially sustainable.

Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert said TAFE Back to Work Fund projects were focused on supporting TAFE institutes to deliver training that lead to jobs, by working in partnership with industry.

The one-off $50 million fund is also supporting public TAFE institutes to deliver more training in growing industries identified by the Government’s Back to Work Plan to create 100,000 jobs.

Mr Herbert said training offered by these new initiatives would also support employers who plan to hire staff as part of the Government’s Back to Work Scheme, by creating a greater pool of skilled workers who are job-ready in growing industries.

The Back to Work Scheme is providing financial assistance to businesses which hire eligible young people aged 15-24 who have been looking for work for three months or more, out-of-trade apprentices, retrenched workers or someone who has been looking for work for 12 months or more.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing

“This $2.6 million Andrews Labor Government investment will support Federation Training to deliver more training that will lead to jobs in the Gippsland region.”

“Federation Training is providing crucial opportunities to Gippslanders by improving skills and experience and collaborating with industry and community groups. This funding supports its Paddock to Plate initiative and partnership with Gunaikurnai Land & Waters Aboriginal Corporation. It will generate jobs, improve access to education and benefit local industry.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills, Steve Herbert

“TAFEs mean skills and skills mean jobs, which is why it is essential to the future of the region that Federation Training delivers more training that gives locals the opportunity to develop the skills they need to get a job in a growing or emerging industry.”

“These projects, part of our $50 million TAFE Back to Work Fund, demonstrate what can be achieved when Government, TAFE institutes and industry work together and focus on delivering training that supports new jobs across Gippsland.”