MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:12:52): I rise to update the house on matters pertaining to Federation Training—or it was previously known as Federation Training. Following extensive consultations with the Gippsland communities, Federation Training has now been renamed TAFE Gippsland.
This new name means that local students will now learn at a TAFE with a clear, visible connection to their community. Consultation with schools, industry partners, businesses and local community representatives highlighted the need for a new name that linked the TAFE to Gippsland.
The new name also recognises the institute’s proud history as the major provider of training in Gippsland.
I would also like to acknowledge the ongoing work of Harriet Shing, a member for Eastern Victoria Region, in ensuring the aspirations and the concerns of Gippsland communities are represented in decisions related to TAFE Gippsland.
The future of TAFE Gippsland is bright.
The Andrews Labor government has made a substantial investment in the capital works at Gippsland TAFE over the last year, with $35.5 million to redevelop the TAFE Gippsland Morwell campus and $25 million for the TAFE Gippsland port of Sale development.
I am pleased to also note that Victorian architects GHDWoodhead have been appointed to this project. In further good news, Gippsland students are taking up training for local jobs through free TAFE, with more than 1000 students enrolling in free TAFE at TAFE Gippsland.
Our investments demonstrate that this government is committed to ensuring all Victorians, including those in Gippsland, can get the skills they need for the jobs that we are creating.
