The Victorian TAFE Association (VTA), the peak body for Victoria’s public VET providers, has welcomed the announcement today by the State Government of an almost $384 million package to support vocational education and training in the State, anchored by a strong TAFE system.
The package includes $86 million for the establishment of a new Victorian Skills Authority, $72 million for TAFE upgrades and $12 million for upgrading equipment and tools in TAFEs.
The announcement of the new Victorian Skills Authority follows the release earlier in the year of the Skills for Victoria’s Growing Economy Review (Macklin Review), which made a series of recommendations including the establishment of a new body, “to act as a champion and steward of the skills system.”
Importantly, the new Authority will lead the development of an annual Skills Plan, which will provide for future skills planning and priorities. Acknowledging that working further collaboratively can strengthen the TAFE system the announcement of a new Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery is also pleasing.
These are important steps which underline the critical and positive role that the twelve standalone TAFE institutes and four dual sector universities play each day in providing quality vocational education and training across Victoria.
