Victoria University welcomes the announcement of $1.9 million for two state-funded job and training projects for Melbourne’s West that will operate through its new Victoria Polytechnic TAFE division.
The two projects are:
- a $1.4 million ‘Youth Spark IT’ program to help unemployed young people in Melbourne’s West take their first steps to training and acquiring skills needed by industries in the area;
- a $500,000 one-stop jobs and skills centre at VU at MetroWest in the heart of Footscray for students looking to start training, workers needing to reskill, and employers seeking advice about improving the productivity of their workforce.
Vice President of Victoria Polytechnic, Mr Grant Dreher said the initiatives will build on the University’s foundation of providing opportunities and success for communities across the west.
“These projects, along with our tried and tested expertise in providing vocational training, will respond to the needs of job-seekers, employers, industry, and workers looking to grow in the new economy,” Mr Dreher said.
Minister for Training and Skills, The Hon Steve Herbert said the funding will help revitalise employment opportunities and services in Melbourne’s West, and bolster Victoria Polytechnic’s reputation as a high-quality provider with industry relevant training.
“This funding will help ensure everyone has access to quality training so they can get off the treadmill of unemployment and onto the footpath of success,” Minister Herbert said.
“These initiatives will kick-start the new Victoria Polytechnic into next year, and provide the basis of a very successful year, decade, and the next 100 years to come.”
Victoria Polytechnic’s establishment comes just shy of Victoria University’s 100th birthday as an educational institute, and follows collaboration with local employers and industry experts who support the development of industries for the region’s future.
It will focus on specialist delivery of National Training Package qualifications and state-based programs from Certificate I through to apprenticeships and traineeships, and diplomas and graduate certificates.
Victoria Polytechnic was officially launched at a dinner on Tuesday at the University’s world-class construction futures building in Sunshine, featuring former Governor of Victoria, Sir James Gobbo.
