MS TIERNEY (Minister for Training and Skills) — I rise to update the house on the Andrews government’s support for Learn Locals in Victoria. On Friday, 10 March, at the Wyndham Community and Education Centre — —
Honourable members interjecting.
The PRESIDENT — Order! Ms Tierney, can you start from the beginning? Unfortunately there was some noise across the chamber and I did not actually hear the start of your contribution.
Ms TIERNEY — I rise to update the house on the Andrews government’s support for Learn Locals in Victoria. On Friday, 10 March, I was at the Wyndham Community and Education Centre to announce $1.5 million in funding for three Learn Local quality partnership trials. These partnerships, supported by the Adult, Community and Further Education Board, will enable Learn Local organisations, which provide accredited training to some of the state’s most disadvantaged students, to work together to reduce compliance costs, share resources, improve quality and encourage best practice.
The Wyndham Community and Education Centre, Southern Grampians Adult Education and Community College, and the Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre will each lead a network of up to 10 local learning centres. The partnerships, part of Skills First, will ensure that all Victorians are able to access high-quality training that will provide them with the skills they need to meet industry needs, grow economic productivity and lead them to real jobs.
At the launch I had the pleasure of meeting Shayanne, whose story epitomises the value and importance of Learn Locals in this state. Shayanne told me school just was not for her. But instead of dropping out she went to the Wyndham Community and Education Centre to complete her secondary education. Because of the support she received there over a number of years she was able to start a bachelor of social science last week.
This government will always support community education providers because of stories just like these. We are doing this so that other young people like Shayanne can get an education to improve their lives and give back to their communities. Good on you, Shayanne; you should be so proud. A big thank you to everyone who works at the Learn Local centres. There are over 300 in the state, and I encourage all members of this Parliament to visit the Learn Local centres in their electorates.