Four Government secondary schools in Victoria’s south west will share in $15 million of Brumby Government grants for schools across Victoria to upgrade their technical equipment, Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said.
Ms Tierney said Brauer Secondary College, Hawkesdale P12 College, Heywood District Secondary College, Portland Secondary College and Warrnambool College will receive a total of $250,598 as part of the $50 million Tech Wings investment in the 2007-08 Budget.
“These grants of up to $100,000 each will enable the schools to provide state-of-the-art technical and vocational education and training,” Ms Tierney said.
“They are part of the Brumby Government’s commitment to providing Victorian students with the facilities they need for a 21st century curriculum,” Ms Tierney said.
Schools can purchase, hire, refurbish or maintain technical equipment used in Technology Studies, Vocational and Education Training in Schools (VET) or similar programs.
This includes items such as computer aided drafting and manufacturing equipment and software, machining equipment, digital lathes and automotive and engineering equipment.
Ms Tierney said schools can also pool their funding with nearby schools to provide or expand technical training in a particular industry area.
“Investment in vocational and technical education is increasingly important because it helps develop a skilled workforce and keeps young people involved in the education system,” Ms Tierney said.
Victoria leads all other states in school retention to the completion of Year 12 or its equivalent, with 86.1% of young people retained in our education and training system last year.
This new funding will help achieve the Government’s target of 90% of young people completing Year 12 or its equivalent by 2010.
