The Victorian TAFE Association (VTA) is recommending the Government invest in modern, fit‑for‑purpose TAFE infrastructure and 10,000 additional funded skills places per year.
New reporting this week highlights the scale of the challenge, with training demands for the tens of thousands of skilled workers needed in priority industries over the next eight years including electrical, construction, clean energy, agriculture and health services.
In particular, reporting indicates high skill demand in early childhood education and veterinary services.
Alex White, CEO of the VTA says, “TAFE needs facilities and floorspace to meet demand for priority skills. By 2036, Victorian TAFEs will need 20% more floorspace. Some TAFE assets are in urgent need of upgrades.”
The Government’s own Infrastructure Victoria recommends $2.5 billion in TAFE infrastructure investment over the next decade to ensure the system can deliver the workforce Victoria needs.
The VTA is recommending:
- Investing $2.5 billion into TAFE Infrastructure over 10-years, as recommended by Infrastructure Victoria
- Funding 10,000 additional TAFE places per year for 10-years (100,000 total)
- Remove Victorian TAFEs and dual sector universities from the VET funding model introduced to crack-down on unscrupulous private training providers
- Establishing TAFE as the ‘first choice’ provider for all Victorian Government Departments, major projects, and public sector entities.
Mr White said the investment in new TAFE campuses was widely supported in the community, and would also deeply benefit the industries facing skills demands.
“Victoria cannot solve its skills demands without a strong public TAFE system. Investing now means Victoria’s community benefits from more highly skilled childcare workers, electricians, plumbers, engineers and healthcare workers in every neighbourhood and town.”