MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:23): On the final sitting day of Parliament this year I am proud to rise to speak on the significant opportunities that have been created by the TAFE demonstration projects, which are delivering brilliant apprenticeship and training opportunities at the South West TAFE learning library hub, North East Link and now the new Footscray Hospital. A key component of these projects is the skills and jobs hubs to support local TAFE students to become part of these major projects and set the path for a great career.
Recently I was joined by Minister Stitt, Parliamentary Secretary Cesar Melhem and local member for Footscray Katie Hall to open the new Footscray Hospital jobs hub. The hub, managed by Apprenticeships Victoria, unites the Footscray Connectivity Centre, Plenary Health, Multiplex and the Victoria University Skills and Jobs Centre under one roof. The TAFE demonstration projects enable apprentices and trainees to earn and learn on some of the state’s most exciting Big Build projects and form part of the $33 million Big Build apprenticeships program, which is providing opportunities to Victorian apprentices and trainees each year over the next four years.
We are delivering high-quality training for the skilled workforce of the future, and I am proud that we are using the levers of government to create real opportunities on landmark projects that will benefit Victorians for generations to come, not to mention Footscray locals, many of whom have come from many different parts of the world. The hub will connect locals to great careers through $1.5 billion of the Big Build new Footscray Hospital project, a project that will employ more than 2000 people at peak of construction and will be built using more than 90 per cent of materials, services and equipment sourced by local businesses. This is one of three demonstration projects where we are connecting jobseekers to hands-on skills and training. This is an absolute foundation and purpose project. I am proud that we are using the levers of government to create real opportunities for great Victorians.