TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:33): Today is a great day: we are celebrating five years since the introduction of free TAFE. Since 2019 more than 157,000 students have had the chance to get the skills they need for the jobs they want, while saving $436 million in fees.…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:25): I rise today, like Minister Symes, to thank our firefighters in the Grampians region who saved countless homes over the last fortnight with fortunately no loss of life. I acknowledge in particular the CFA brigades that I met on the weekend…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:17): Today I rise to commend the resilience and community spirit of our regional Victorian communities. I have seen firsthand how regional Victorians are supporting each other following the horrific storm event and fires on 13 February. Last weekend I had the opportunity…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:32): I rise to inform the house that nominations are open for the 2024 Learn Local Awards. Our Learn Local providers are truly incredible. Over 200 grassroots community organisations right across Victoria are delivering essential pre-accredited training. From English to maths, digital skills…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:47): The Allan Labor government is delivering worker accommodation in regional communities where it is needed most. Recently I visited the Koroit caravan park, which has seen five new cabins constructed under the Koroit worker housing project. As I understand it, there…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:33): As the academic year begins today, I joined the Premier at Swinburne University to talk about the availability of free TAFE courses and degrees in nursing and education. Whether it is through TAFE or university, students who want to make a…
IERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:19): 2023 has demonstrated the power and purpose of Victoria’s TAFE and training sector. This was absolutely on show at the recent Australian Training Awards, Apprentice Training Awards and Learn Local Awards, where the variety and depth of training and skills in…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:32): I rise today to inform the house that the $20 million Tiny Towns Fund is now open for applications. Last week I visited Talbot, in our historic goldfields region, to launch Tiny Towns at the local arts and historical museum. Marion, the…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:34): The Allan Labor government is creating jobs and growth in regional Victoria by investing in what each region does best. Supported by the regional development portfolio, the new Wodonga logistics precinct is strengthening the role of Wodonga as a crucial road…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:24): I am so pleased that a new-era skills and TAFE system is now a reality. Last week I was joined by Premier Allan and Minister O’Connor at Bendigo Kangan Institute Docklands to see and hear firsthand how the new skills agreement…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:18): I recently met with many people and organisations in Mildura. I went there to listen and to see firsthand how this government works in partnership with many communities in this region. Because this government listens and responds, we invest in culture…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:16): Last week I launched the second annual Victorian skills plan. It reinforces that Victoria continues to set the benchmark for skills and training in Australia. We are the national leaders in reform. We are building and uniting the system. We introduced…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:12): This morning Minister Blandthorn and I visited the fabulous staff and children at the Gowrie early learning centre in Carlton to announce eight grants of more than $6 million to support, develop and upskill early childhood educators. The government’s Best Start, Best…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (14:56): I am delighted to advise the house that last night I signed the new five-year National Skills Agreement with the federal government, securing $3.1 billion for Victoria’s TAFE and training sector. This deal will create even more opportunities for Victorians to be…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:35): It is an enormous honour to continue the work of strengthening skills and Victoria’s TAFE system in regional Victoria and right across the state and to have been appointed on Monday as Minister for Regional Development. I care deeply about Victoria’s…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:35): I would like to raise the issue of apprenticeships. Apprenticeships offer a great opportunity for a great career, and once qualified, we have a community of skilled professionals who underpin the prosperity of Victoria. I am proud that this government does…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:18): Victoria was the epicentre of training and skills this month. We were proud to host the WorldSkills national championships right here in Victoria. Many school students got to witness not only the incredible skills of our young students,…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:32): The Andrews Labor government is working hard to support the forestry sector through the native timber transition. We have listened to the support needs of timber workers, contractors, employers and communities, just as we said we would. We…
GAYLE TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:30): Free TAFE has changed lives throughout Victoria. It has provided quality education and skills and training so that people get the qualifications for a great career. This was absolutely on show when I recently visited South West…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:30): Free TAFE has changed lives throughout Victoria. It has provided quality education and skills and training so that people get the qualifications for a great career. This was absolutely on show when I recently visited South West TAFE…
GAYLE TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:05): I am pleased to update the house on how the Andrews Labor government is supporting our agriculture sector to meet the challenges of a changing climate. Recently I had the pleasure of being in Horsham to announce a…
GAYLE TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:39): Victoria makes some of the best drinks in the world. Last night I was delighted to host Drink Victorian, an event promoting our fabulous drink producers. The Drink Victorian program supports venues to increase their range of…
GAYLE TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (14:14): Animal welfare is a priority of the Andrews Labor government. That is why over the last month we have delivered Victoria’s first ever pet census to help shape the future of animal welfare and ensure pet owners…
GAYLE TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:22): I rise today to highlight the remarkable achievements of two groundbreaking dairy research programs, DairyBio and DairyFeedbase. These programs were established through a partnership between Agriculture Victoria, Dairy Australia and the Gardiner Foundation and have made significant contributions…
GAYLE TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:25): Today I would like to highlight the important work of the National Centre for Vocational Education Research, NCVER. They are internationally recognised for their strategic research in education and training and their important and detailed analysis. Based…
GAYLE TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:26): I am proud of the investment that this government makes in training and skills in the agriculture industry. We understand how important agriculture is to Victorians. Our investment is guided by strong research and sector engagement. In 2021…
GAYLE TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:26): Since 2014 the Andrews Labor government has invested $4 billion into TAFE, skills and higher education, and the 2023–24 budget further reinforces our commitment to quality by investing over $500 million in TAFE and the training system. This budget…
GAYLE TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:08): I am pleased to update the chamber on how the Andrews Labor government is supporting more Victorians to train for highly skilled jobs. Recently I attended the Heidelberg campus of Melbourne Polytechnic to open their new $3.2…
GAYLE TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:19): Today I would like to acknowledge the challenges faced by Victoria’s native timber workers. For three years there has not been stable native timber supply in this state due to increasing severe bushfires, sustained legal action and decisions…
GAYLE TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:15): I am pleased to update the chamber on how the Andrews Labor government is supporting agriculture colleges and our emerging young farmers, agriscientists and agribusiness owners. Recently I visited the University of Melbourne’s Dookie agriculture campus to…
GAYLE TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (13:30): I am pleased to inform the house that the government is providing additional support for farmers impacted by the March hailstorm which impacted farmers in the City of Greater Shepparton and Yarra Ranges local government areas. This…
GAYLE TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:27): Today I am pleased to update the chamber on how the Andrews Labor government is central to national discussions about skills and training provision. Recently I was pleased to join my training and skills ministerial colleagues across states…
GAYLE TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:33): Today I would like to draw attention to the achievements of Learn Local students, teachers, providers and industry partners. Learn Locals are so important to our community. They provide skills and connect students with great opportunities, and…
GAYLE TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:13): Victoria’s world-class agriculture sector provides food, jobs and prosperity and underpins an export industry in food and drink which is renowned across the world. That is why we are committed to continued investment in the sector. We…
GAYLE TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:30): I am pleased to update the chamber on how the Andrews Labor government is delivering skills and jobs for our clean energy future through collaboration and collective impact. Recently I was pleased to join the Premier and…
GAYLE TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:09): Today I would like to draw attention to the incredible resilience of our regional communities and especially our farmers and growers who underpin our agricultural industry. They are a community and sector who face continual challenges, as…
GAYLE TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (13:48): I will use the opportunity to be the Minister for Training and Skills on this occasion. I am pleased to update the chamber on how the Andrews Labor government is providing free TAFE to more Victorians. Last week…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:35): I rise today to acknowledge the 68th annual Victorian Training Awards and congratulate the winners along with all of the finalists. The Victorian Training Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of apprentices, students, teachers, employers and training providers in the…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:21): It is a point of great pride that this government has rebuilt and united the post secondary school system. Victorians now have access to vocational education and training which is built on quality and integrity, with the foundations firmly…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:11): It was my absolute joy to visit Sale to formally open the TAFE Gippsland Port of Sale campus last week. This state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility is the result of outstanding collaboration between the community and the staff at TAFE Gippsland…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:06): Last week I was proud to launch Victoria’s first-ever skills plan as part of National Skills Week. I was joined by leaders in industry, training and skills, higher education and adult community education and employers at Bendigo Kangan Institute Docklands.…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:30): It is important to draw attention to the exceptional work being done in the agricultural industry to tackle climate change. Recently I met wonderful leaders who are at the forefront of the design and implementation of smart, innovative and…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (11:52): The Andrews Labor government is absolutely committed to safeguarding Victoria’s livestock industry from foot-and-mouth disease. It is no accident that Victoria and Australia remain FMD free. We have established an emergency animal disease planning task force, and it has…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (14:10): I rise to advise the house of the leadership being shown by the Andrews Labor government and Agriculture Victoria as we prepare for the escalating threat of foot-and-mouth disease. We have established an emergency animal disease planning task force…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:17): Last week I was pleased to launch a new program that will boost skills in Victoria’s electrical workforce. Through the Workforce Training Innovation Fund the Andrews Labor government is investing more than $950 000 in a pilot program for 500 licensed electricians to…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:07): On Monday I had the privilege of welcoming the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and the federal Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor, to the world-class Victorian Tunnelling Centre at Holmesglen TAFE, which is a great example of collaboration between the Metro…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:25): Today I am very pleased to advise the chamber that Victoria will host the 2023 WorldSkills Australia National Championships. WorldSkills is the nation’s largest trades and skills competition and gives hundreds of apprentices, trainees and students the chance to showcase their talents across…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:23): I would like to highlight another outstanding development in the support of TAFE students and regional communities that occurred last week at TAFE Gippsland, Lakes Entrance. This campus is home to a state-of-the-art marine research and education centre. It focuses on providing training…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:59): Recently I visited the Chisholm TAFE campus in Dandenong, where I was joined by the great member for Dandenong and a great minister, Gabrielle Williams, to open the new trade centre and student support hub, thanks to a $7.4 million investment by the…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:28): Today is an important day, National Sorry Day, a day when we acknowledge the strength of stolen generations survivors. It is a day to ensure that we never lose sight of the importance of healing, focusing on strong future and the significance…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:23): I am incredibly proud to update the chamber on the important role that Apprenticeships Victoria plays in supporting apprentices and trainees to achieve qualifications that are a career passport for life. This government is absolutely committed to ensuring that apprentices and trainees…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:57): This week is Education Week, and I am proud that the Andrews Labor government has committed to access and inclusion in education, training and skills. Last week it was my privilege to attend RMIT to announce the diploma of Auslan and the…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:21): I recently had the pleasure of travelling to Swan Hill, where I met students, teachers and staff at Murray Adult Community Education, who deliver training to Swan Hill locals and the broader regional community. I was really impressed with what I saw…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:21): I recently had the pleasure of travelling to Swan Hill, where I met students, teachers and staff at Murray Adult Community Education, who deliver training to Swan Hill locals and the broader regional community. I was really impressed with what I saw…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:46): Today I rise to pay tribute to Professor Peter Noonan, whose leadership in policy design in the higher education, training and skills system led the way for transformational reforms in Australia. His commitment and sharp insights always put the student at the…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:30): As Minister for Training and Skills and Minister for Higher Education I am focused on ensuring that universities and the VET sector work in unison to deliver the research to create new industries and provide the highest quality training in skills to…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:04:214:): Today I am proud to advise the house of the leadership taken by Victorian universities in research and development. This has been made possible by the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund. Today I announced $17 million of funding to support 12 Victorian…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:05): I am pleased to update the house on how the Andrews Labor government is building world-class training facilities in Geelong. Last week it was great to announce a $2 million investment at the Gordon’s East Geelong campus to build new plumbing and carpentry workshops.…
MS 23TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:18): I am incredibly proud to update the chamber on how TAFE Gippsland’s Morwell campus is better than it has ever been because of the investments made by the Andrews Labor government. Our government is absolutely determined to give Gippsland locals access to…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:10:070:): Today I rise to talk about the Andrews Labor government’s positive plan in providing more opportunities to support Victorians to get the skills they need for the jobs that we are creating. On Sunday I was pleased to join the Premier and the…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:30): One of the fastest growing sectors in Victoria is the healthcare and social services sector. It is Australia’s largest employing industry, with nearly four in five workers being women. The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on this industry. We on this…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:26): As I am sure everyone in this chamber knows, a great teacher can change lives. In the TAFE network we have incredibly dedicated and passionate teachers who share their industry expertise and skills every day. I am grateful to every single TAFE…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:56): Today I rise to highlight the important role the post-secondary education and training system plays as a key driver to achieve gender equality in our society. TAFEs, Apprenticeships Victoria, Learn Locals and universities are instrumental in shifting cultural and societal change, and…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:09): I rise today to highlight how Apprenticeships Victoria is leading a renaissance for skills and training in Victoria. Since its establishment in late 2020 Apprenticeships Victoria has put in place high-quality career pathways and has set new benchmarks for earn-and-learn opportunities for…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:33): Last week I was proud to announce the Victorian government’s expansion of the asylum seeker VET and Reconnect programs, which is a $6 million investment from the 2021–22 Victorian budget. These programs ensure people seeking asylum can access training and support in Victoria…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:02): Last week it was fantastic to be in the south-west to celebrate the completion of upgrades at Glenormiston. This is the government that reopened Glenormiston, and it is this government that committed $2 million at the last election to upgrade facilities. The fantastic…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:12): I am pleased to update the chamber on how the Andrews Labor government is making record investments in TAFE and making it the best it has ever been. Late last year the Premier and I visited William Angliss Institute to announce an…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:17): Recently I was joined by parliamentary secretary Cesar Melhem to celebrate the achievements, resilience and commitment of students, teachers, trainers and industry partners in the Learn Local sector. It was a wonderful gathering of exceptional people. All have worked together in these…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:08): Last Sunday the Victorian TAFE network marched for the first time at the Midsumma Pride March. Staff and students from across Victoria came together to celebrate diversity and send a strong message that TAFEs are inclusive of every Victorian. You could not…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:25): Last week I was pleased to visit Swinburne University of Technology’s Hawthorn campus with my Legislative Council colleagues Nina Taylor, Sonja Terpstra and Enver Erdogan and local member for Hawthorn John Kennedy MP to announce the Andrews Labor government’s $5.2 million contribution to…
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…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:41): I am very pleased to share with the chamber that the Andrews Labor government has reached an in-principle agreement with Swinburne University to purchase the Prahran campus. Prahran has a rich TAFE history. Starting with the Prahran Mechanics Institute, it soon became…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:28): The Australian Training Awards were held last night, and Victoria once again made its mark by winning a number of categories. I am really pleased to advise the chamber that Victoria’s TAFE network has won Large Training Provider of the Year for…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:21): I rise to update the chamber on the progress of Kangan TAFE’s new Health and Community Centre of Excellence in Broadmeadows. I am incredibly proud that the Andrews Labor government is investing $60 million to deliver a better TAFE campus in Broadmeadows. It…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:07): Bevan Hirst is a fourth-year medical student at Deakin University in Geelong. He recently signed up to our frontline workforce to help get more jabs in Victorian arms. Nearly 600 Victorian university students just like Bevan have signed up since we announced a…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:33): Our environment matters, and we want to secure its future for generations to come. That is why I was proud to announce an $11 million investment to help Monash University slash its emissions to net zero by 2030. It will form part of…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:25): I use this opportunity to update the house on cybersecurity courses. Building opportunities and supporting partnerships between TAFEs, universities and industry remain a dedicated focus of the Andrews Labor government. Cybersecurity was identified as a major priority of this government, and that…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:55): Recently the Victorian government held the 67th annual Victorian Training Awards. People from right through Victoria joined us online to celebrate our world-class training system. Today I would like to highlight the achievements of our students and apprentices who were recognised at…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (15:11): I am pleased to update the chamber on the work underway to revive Aboriginal languages across Victoria. Preserving and reviving Aboriginal languages should be core business for any government. We cannot change the past, but we can work hard to right the…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (15:08): Every Victorian should have the chance to get a job that they want, no matter their background, identity or gender. That is why I was proud to launch the $5 million Women in Apprenticeships initiative last week. It will remove barriers for women…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (15:07): Free TAFE has been an incredible success since its commencement in 2019. So many Victorians have accessed free TAFE since it began—over 93 000 Victorians, in fact. Free TAFE is building the pipeline of skilled workers that we need for our hospitals, for our…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:07): Connecting Victorian jobseekers with opportunities is what this government is all about, and that is what the North East Link Skills and Jobs Centre is achieving. The centre is connecting people to the 10 000 jobs that are available on the North East…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:27): Today I am proud to speak of two trailblazing research projects that are great examples of the kinds of initiatives that will help drive Victoria’s COVID-19 recovery through more jobs, skills and research: the BatTRI-Hub 2.0 at Deakin University’s Burwood campus and…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:07): Connecting Victorian jobseekers with opportunities is what this government is all about, and that is what the North East Link Skills and Jobs Centre is achieving. The centre is connecting people to the 10 000 jobs that are available on the North East…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:08): Today I would like to acknowledge the contributions of the adult community education sector. Adult Learners Week has just taken place, and it puts the spotlight on a sector that changes lives. In Victoria we are dedicated to an education system that…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:25): I am pleased to rise and update the chamber on the fantastic success of free TAFE in getting Victorians into jobs and giving more Victorians access to training. Labor is the party of TAFE. We are the party that invests in TAFE and…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:29): Teachers are important, and that is why the Andrews Labor government recently launched a new TAFE teacher recruitment campaign and TAFE teacher scholarship program. We promised that we would rebuild TAFE, and we have. TAFE enrolments are higher than in our first year…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:08): Today I am proud to speak of Respect and Equality in TAFE, a project that I had the privilege to launch last week. At the heart of this project is ‘change the story’, and that is to achieve gender equality and prevent gender-based…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:07): Last Thursday the Minister for Agriculture and I met with the member for Buninyong, Michaela Settle, at Western Plains Pork near Rokeford to announce a review into the future of agriculture training in Victoria. Since coming to government we have made important…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:17): This morning it was my pleasure to announce the Andrews Labor government’s $44.6 million investment in RMIT’s CBD north precinct activation project. Through our $350 million Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund we are helping universities to realise their longstanding goals, establishing partnerships that…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:32): Today I am proud to rise to speak of the outstanding commitment of our trade teachers and trainers throughout the state. Many trade teachers have been in the VET system for many decades and have witnessed firsthand the changes in training but…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:23): I am proud to rise to acknowledge the outstanding work of our TAFE teachers and support and administrative staff in seamlessly adapting to online delivery. If last year taught us anything, it is that when a government properly invests in TAFEs they…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:37): Today I would like to focus on the important Reconnect program, which the Andrews Labor government established in 2015 to support disadvantaged Victorians to gain access to education, training and skills. Since that time thousands of Victorians have participated in the Reconnect…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:08): As a society and a community we must work together to achieve cultural change to support survivors of family violence. We must never lose sight of the importance of improving safety and support for people who are leaving violent or abusive relationships.…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:04): Last week’s budget continues our work to make Victoria’s TAFE and training system better than it has ever been. I have already taken the chamber through a number of initiatives in this year’s budget, but I am excited to share a few…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:07): Today is an exciting day for TAFE and training in Victoria, a day when this government takes the next step to make TAFE and training better than ever. When we came to government, the training system was absolutely— Members interjecting. Ms Shing:…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:04): Yesterday the TAFE network’s annual reports were tabled. As always, I am always in awe of the work of our TAFEs. They deliver for our local communities across the state and in doing so give Victorians high-quality training for the jobs that we…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:43): On 30 March I joined the Acting Premier, my good friend Ms Watt, employers, unions and many apprentices at the metro launch of Apprenticeships Victoria. Apprenticeships Victoria is a new division of the Department of Education and Training. It will help support thousands of…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:30): 2020 was a year like no other. Bushfires devastated many regional communities, only to be followed by the COVID pandemic. The communities of the Alpine and surrounding regions rallied together, where strength, courage and compassion came to the fore. In Bright today…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:08): Today I am proud to speak of Respect and Equality in TAFE, a project that I had the privilege to launch last week. At the heart of this project is ‘change the story’, and that is to achieve gender equality and prevent gender-based…