The Allan Labor Government will deliver a new $55 million construction-focused TAFE campus in Melton by 2028, giving students in Melton and nearby the opportunity to study close to home.
Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney today announced that Bendigo Kangan Institute had been selected as the TAFE provider to construct and operate the new campus because of their well-established strengths in the delivery of construction and trades training, and their geographic connection to the region.
The project will be delivered through the Labor Government's Building Better TAFE Fund, which received a boost of $170 million in the Victorian Budget 2023/24 to make sure students have access to the best facilities, without having to travel long distances.
The funding also provides support for a new Bendigo Kangan campus in Sunbury, which is also currently without TAFE-led skills training.
The Government is working with Bendigo Kangan Institute to find a suitable location in Melton for the new campus. With a target opening date of 2028, the campus will accommodate around 600 student enrolments each year.
In addition to the Melton and Sunbury campuses, the Building Better TAFE Fund will deliver a Centre of Excellence for Inclusion in Disability, Health and Community Services at The Gordon TAFE in Geelong, a Community Health and Learning Hub at Bendigo TAFE's Castlemaine campus, and will establish a $50 million TAFE Clean Energy Fund.
Projects previously backed through the Building Better TAFE Fund include Bendigo Kangan's $60 million Health and Community Centre of Excellence in Broadmeadows, Chisholm Institute's $67.6 million Stage 2 of the Frankston Redevelopment and Melbourne Polytechnic's $40 million Collingwood Campus modernisation.
As stated by Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney
"As Melton grows, we're making sure people have access to great training opportunities, close to home - and Bendigo Kangan Institute's new campus will deliver best practice training in the construction fields, without students having to travel long distances."
"We look forward to working closely with Bendigo Kangan Institute to deliver a fit-for-purpose campus that will meet the skills needs of Victoria's inner west."
As stated by Bendigo Kangan Institute Chief Executive Officer Sally Curtain
"We are pleased to partner with the Victorian Government to make skills and training more accessible to Melton residents through a new TAFE campus by Kangan Institute."
"Our experience in the region and in delivering construction skills combined with our strong industry partnerships, means we are well positioned to provide training that will create pathways to real jobs."
As stated by Member for Melton Steve McGhie
"We are excited to have more high-quality training opportunities for the residents of Melton, to support even more students on their path to their dream careers."
