A year after the Andrews Labor Government restored training and TAFE to the Yarra Ranges, more than 1000 students have enrolled at Box Hill Institute’s Lilydale Lakeside campus.
The Labor Government invested $20 million returning higher education and TAFE to Lilydale after the former Liberal Government’s funding cuts forced the campus to be closed.
The campus is now a thriving community with students studying courses in a number of areas including business, veterinary nursing, hospitality and carpentry.
Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney joined Deputy Premier James Merlino on a visit to the campus where they announced $9 million in extra funding for Box Hill Institute to make sure it’s ready to hit the ground running when Skills First is introduced.
The Labor Government was elected to put people first and that means delivering on the things that matter most to people – including making sure locals have access to real training so they can get a real job.
That’s exactly what Skills First, the Government’s new approach to training and TAFE, will do from next month.
On top of the $9 million, Box Hill Institute is also receiving $750,000 for new teaching equipment thanks to the Government’s Specialised Teaching Equipment Initiative.
The fund ensures TAFEs can offer students training on the latest equipment being used by industry today.
Box Hill will use its funding to purchase a full motion flight simulator which will enable the TAFE to increase its enrolments in its flight courses.
In the Government’s two years of putting people first the Institute has received more than $38 million.
That includes $20 million to reopen the Lakeside campus, $4.7 million from the TAFE Back to Work Fund and $2.4 million for Skills and Jobs Centres in Box Hill and at Lilydale.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney
“So many people worked for years to return higher education and training to Lilydale. Today they can all stand proud of what they’ve been able to achieve.”
“Our extra funding will make sure Box Hill Institute can continue to meet the needs of local students industry both here in Lilydale and at its other campuses around Melbourne.”
Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Member for Monbulk James Merlino
“The community campaigned for so long to have higher education and training return to our area and they’ve embraced the campus with open arms.”
“It’s fantastic to see so many students have chosen to study in Lilydale during 2016 and I’m sure the campus will continue to thrive into the future.”