A new partnership to strengthen employment pathways in Hume

Victoria University (VU) and Hume City Council have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which will see $2.7M injected into Hume City over five years to increase learning opportunities and skills for employment and employment pathways.

Central to the agreement is VU and Council’s commitment to work together to raise post-secondary education participation and increase skills and access to jobs and education pathways for local people, particularly for young people.

The partnership contributes to a sustainable Hume Multiversity offering within the Hume Global Learning Centres.

As part of the MOU, VU has contributed $1.35M to the new Hume Global Learning Centre – Sunbury along with $1.35M for a Community and Education Program as part of Hume Multiversity.

The Hume Multiversity initiative facilitates skills for employment and employment pathways by making tertiary education and training opportunities more accessible to Hume residents.

The initiative also strengthens collaborative partnerships between education, community and business.

In July 2019, Hume City Council renewed partnerships with eight educational providers for Hume Multiversity. VU will be the ninth partner to sign up to this partnership.

VU’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Peter Dawkins AO, and Mayor of Hume City, Councillor Carly Moore, met in a virtual event on Wednesday 1 July to sign the agreement.

Professor Peter Dawkins said “Victoria University is proud to be strengthening its  relationship with Hume City Council. We are excited to revitalise our work in the Sunbury area aligning with Hume Multiversity, to deliver educational activities that encourage lifelong learning and benefit the entire community.

“As a dual sector University, we offer unique learning opportunities for a diverse range of students. Through this partnership adult learning opportunities will be increased and our programs will help to grow the skills needed by local industries through our place-based and translational research expertise.

“Together with Hume City Council our presence in the region will build new opportunities for the community to discover, learn, upskill and grow.”

Hume Mayor, Cr Carly Moore, said “This partnership will see increased access to jobs, skills and education pathways for local people, particularly for young people and migrant communities.

“Hume Multiversity aims to improve community educational aspirations, facilitate learning opportunities and develop collaborative partnerships between education, community and business.

“The MOU and agreement with VU will complement and strengthen the work of the Hume Multiversity managed by Council’s Economic Development Team with a specific focus on the Sunbury community.”