South West TAFE will receive more than $4.9 million to modernise and upgrade learning spaces and facilities at its Warrnambool campus, as part of a funding package announced by the Victorian Government.
Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney today announced every TAFE in Victoria will share in $55 million to carry out essential upgrades to learning facilities and amenities, as well as to re-fit and modernise existing learning spaces to adapt them to deliver more courses.
The Warrnambool campus works will refurbish and upgrade the site's F Building, which houses the TAFE's Pure Academy (Hair, Beauty & Massage), School of Education (VCAL, Disability, Reconnect and ESL), Automotive and Plumbing apprenticeship programs.
The $4.9 million works package includes new flexible learning spaces, a student amenities area and upgrades to existing classrooms. A new expanded massage area, entry upgrade and student amenities will also be built.
The works will help address an increase in demand for School of Education programs and the industry-based training courses.
All Victorian TAFEs will share in the funding through the TAFE Asset Maintenance Fund, with projects to be delivered in Geelong, Gippsland, Mildura, Warrnambool, Shepparton, Seymour and metropolitan Melbourne.
This investment is on top of an additional $48.8 million available for asset maintenance through the Stronger TAFE fund.
The $55 million investment announced today is part of the $1.81 billion announced by the Government for critical education infrastructure projects for schools and early childhood to help drive the state's economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
The Government is giving Victorians the skills the state needs to respond to the pandemic and prepare for recovery. An extra 18,000 Victorians will be able to train at TAFEs and Learn Locals under a $163 million package of new measures, which includes an expansion of Government's signature Free TAFE program to prepare the state's economic recovery from the Coronavirus crisis.
As stated by Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney
"This investment will ensure that TAFE students in Warrnambool continue to receive the very best in training to get them job ready and into paid work."
"Investing in TAFE is critical to our economic recovery and today's funding announcement will help rejuvenate TAFE facilities while ensuring Victorians stay in work."
