Extra Support For Bushfire-Affected TAFE Students

  • Minister for Training and Skills

Students at TAFE Gippsland who have been affected by the bushfires will benefit from additional scholarships and support, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Training and Skills and Minister for Higher Education Gayle Tierney today announced up to $200,000 of community services funding during a visit to TAFE Gippsland’s Bairnsdale campus in response to a request from TAFE Gippsland.

Interruptions to TAFE Gippsland’s service delivery have been relatively minimal, with some delays to course start dates in Conservation and Land Management courses.

However, many students, staff members and their communities have been impacted directly by the fires or have been heavily involved in helping with the emergency response.

The funding includes $75,000 towards the existing equity-based scholarship program. This will provide students who are enrolling up until the end of March and experiencing hardship as a result of the bushfires with support for materials, tuition and transportation.

A further $50,000 will be available for the equity-based scholarship. Access to the scholarship funding can be granted on a case-by-case basis according to each student’s circumstances. Students should contact TAFE Gippsland for more details.

$75,000 will pay for student support services for the rest of the calendar year, in anticipation that some students will require counselling, wellbeing and learning support services to assist with their transition back to study.

The Labor Government is also providing funding to Wodonga TAFE and GOTAFE for similar initiatives to support bushfire-affected students.

As stated by Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney

“Supporting students who have experienced hardship as a result of the bushfires is vital and that’s why we’re investing in these resources for TAFE Gippsland students.”

“TAFE Gippsland has been building a strong connection to the community it serves, and an important example of this has been its recent work to closely support local bushfire relief and recovery efforts.”

As stated by TAFE Gippsland CEO Grant Radford

“This funding will allow our Institute to continue to support our students experiencing hardship as a result of the East Gippsland bushfires.”

As stated by Member for Eastern Victoria Jane Garrett

“We know how devastating these bushfires have been on the local community and we’re doing everything we can to support our students and staff.”

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