The Victorian TAFE Association (VTA) is recommending significant investment in TAFE infrastructure, including across regional Victoria, to enable more Victorians to study in their local communities.
Cost‑of‑living and housing pressures have made it increasingly difficult for regional students to relocate to metropolitan areas.
The VTA believes regional learners deserve the opportunity to study, train and build their futures where they live – and strong, well‑funded local TAFEs makes that possible.
The VTA has recommended that a significant infrastructure package of $2.5 billion is needed to address the skills needs of the next decade.
This investment will supercharge TAFE infrastructure, expanding access to Victorians in under-served areas and equipping TAFE teachers with the industry aligned facilities and equipment students need.
With key regional skills demands over the next ten years in health care, aged care, construction, agriculture (mixed crop and livestock) and education, additional essential investment is needed to support our regions.
VTA research shows that 81 of the top 100 fastest growing occupations are attainable with a TAFE education, making TAFE the solution to our growing regional skills crisis.
Quote attributable to Alex White, CEO of the Victorian TAFE Association
“Investing in regional TAFE infrastructure is the most effective way to ensure all Victorians can access skills and training in their local communities without being forced to uproot their lives.
“A stronger TAFE system means regional learners can study in the communities they’ve grown up in, surrounded by the people who support them, and then use their skills and knowledge to give back to their local industries.”