My question is to the Minister for Training and Skills.
In recent years we know there has been a crisis in the jobs and skills area in western Victoria, in part stemming from cuts to the Gordon Institute of TAFE in Geelong and the South West Institute of TAFE in Warrnambool, Portland and Hamilton, coupled with the decline of the manufacturing sector.
So I ask, what has the government done to help the TAFE sector to once again grow and flourish in western Victoria? Have we yet to see any tangible outcomes in terms of employment or economic growth stemming from renewed investment in TAFE and job creation in western Victoria?
Furthermore, are there any additional incentives in place to help apprentices learning a trade to deal with cost of living pressures and to meet the day-to-day expenses of becoming a skilled professional?