Victorian Minister for Higher Education and Skills Peter Hall has announced a $157.8 million funding package in the State Budget for students enrolled in vocational education and training programs including apprenticeships and traineeships.

 

Mr Hall outlined the spending as follows:

  • $62.5 million to cut TAFE fees for youth Healthcare Card holders
  • $40.0 million to increase government subsidised training places
  • $55.3 million to the Apprentice/Trainee Completion Bonus
  • $35.0 million of capital funding for TAFE institute facilities

 

“The Apprentice/Trainee Bonus will benefit the employers of around 20,000 apprentices and trainees completing their apprenticeship or traineeship.” Mr Hall said.

 

Mr Hall said the Budget also provided an additional $35 million for TAFE equipment and facilities.

  • Chisholm Institute of TAFE will receive $22.0 million towards the construction of a new Trade Careers Centre at their Berwick campus.
  • The Gordon will receive $2.0 million for site preparation and design documentation to tender for the Centre for Biotechnology, Sustainability and Living Well at their East Geelong campus.
  • East Gippsland Institute of TAFE will receive $1.5 million for design and tender preparation for the Port of Sale Education Precinct, and
  • And $9.5 million has been allocated to ensure TAFE institutes can invest in additional industry-level equipment to provide students the opportunity to learn and train with state-of- the-art equipment”