The Albanese Labor Government is continuing to support the growth of TAFE across Victoria, investing $1.5 million in Victoria University's Sunshine campus as part of the TAFE Technology Fund.
The money will be used for cutting-edge machines to support the establishment of the Western Melbourne Precinct for Advanced Manufacturing Training.
This technology is vital to support skills training for advanced manufacturing and engineering jobs and a future made in Australia.
The new project is part of the $21.8 million Tranche 2 of the TAFE Technology Fund.
Through both tranches of the Fund, TAFEs across the country will share in $50 million to upgrade and expand their facilities including laboratories, workshops, new equipment and simulated learning environments.
This investment builds on opportunities created through the government's Fee-Free TAFE initiative, which removed financial barriers to enrolment for over 355,000 Australians in 2023.
More than 48,500 Victorian students enrolled in Fee-Free TAFE last year, including over 14,000 in dual sector providers like Victoria University.
The growing number of people across Victoria training in essential areas of our economy is helping Australia respond to skills shortages and prepare for our country's future.
The Albanese Government, working with State and Territory Governments, is funding an additional 300,000 Fee-Fee TAFE and VET places nationwide over the next three years.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon Brendan O'Connor MP:
"Students across Victoria are benefiting from our commitment to reinvigorating the VET sector, with $8.6 million going to the state over Tranches 1 and 2 of the TAFE Technology Fund.
"This investment goes to the heart of our government ensuring that no student in Victoria is left behind or held back, especially as the economy transitions and adapts to structural change.
"The TAFE Technology Fund targets campus infrastructure so that TAFEs in Victoria are equipped to deliver training to the standards expected by industry and students."
Quotes attributable to the Federal Member for Fraser, Dr Daniel Mulino MP:
"By removing financial barriers, Fee-Free TAFE has played a vital role in encouraging people from all backgrounds into training.
"Victoria University has several innovative programs to attract and retain young people who have traditionally faced barriers to tertiary education; and has signed up to a number of partnerships with organisations to provide a highly skilled workforce in areas of demand.
"Almost half of VU students are the first in their family to go on to tertiary education and its rate of student equity participation is 34%; double the national average of 17%.
"VU is clearly doing a lot of things right in the skills and training sector and this funding will help them skill more manufacturing workers for a future made in Australia."
