MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:18): As members of this chamber know, Victoria is the TAFE capital of Australia, and it is the TAFE capital because of the Andrews Labor government’s investment in the system since coming to office. Backing our TAFEs is not just funding courses but also making sure that students have access to the absolutely best facilities and equipment. I am proud to advise the chamber that we have invested over $277 million for new TAFE facilities, buildings and equipment since being elected.
Recently I visited Federation TAFE in Ballarat to see the amazing new equipment at their brand-new baking training centre funded by this government. It is seriously impressive. They have state-of-the-art ovens, mixers, kneading machines and other fantastic baking equipment. Importantly the students also learn manual hands-on baking skills and baking theory alongside using the equipment. This investment is not just in Ballarat either. South West TAFE at Warrnambool and GOTAFE at Shepparton have been provided funding to purchase specialised baking ovens and commercial mixers.
But it is not just cookery equipment either. At Wodonga TAFE our investment has allowed them to purchase four nursing simulation models. These allow nursing students to undertake simulated assessments that complement their work placements. South West TAFE has been supported to develop a mobile app with digitised e-learning resources for shearing courses. At Box Hill TAFE we have supported the establishment of the advanced welding training centre with augmented reality technology. This is an important industry partnership with Weld Australia. Whether it be bakers, nurses, shearers or welders, Victoria’s TAFEs are evolving to deliver industry-standard training for the skills of today and the jobs of tomorrow.
