LABOR TO DELIVER NEW TRADE LEARNING CENTRE FOR SUNBURY
Monday, 1 November 2010
A future Labor Government will invest $20 million to build two new Technical Education Centres in Sunbury and Seymour as part of its $194 million plan to boost trade-based learning and keep the jobs coming to Victoria, the Premier, John Brumby, announced today.
“Victoria is Australia’s jobs engine room and Labor is determined to keep the jobs coming to our State,” Mr Brumby said.
“Victoria’s economy is strong, but the global economic recovery is fragile. That’s why we are also determined to give young Victorians world class skills and training, as they move from school to the workforce.
“This investment of more than $100 million is all about building the skills of young Victorians and they help build a better Victoria for the future.”
Joanne Duncan MP, State Member for Macedon said the new state-of-the-art TEC in Sunbury would provide cutting-edge vocational training courses for young people under 20 who have not completed Year 12.
“The TEC in Sunbury will breathe new life into trade training and help address skill shortages in the area,” Ms Duncan said.
“The new TEC will give young people in Sunbury access to state-of-the-art facilities and training in trades such construction, mechanical trade, electrical, plumbing, hospitality, hairdressing, automotive and avionics.
“To keep Victoria’s economy strong, we must make the most of the talents of each and every person, and our strong investment in TECs demonstrates our commitment to equipping our young people with the skills they need to succeed.”
The Minister for Education and Training, Bronwyn Pike, said two new Technical Education Centres, 20 cutting-edge trade classrooms at secondary schools and more spots for senior students to study hands-on subjects will headline a future Brumby Labor Government’s $109.2 million investment in training.
Labor would also invest $85.1 million to support 110,000 secondary school students across Victoria to study trade-based subjects.
“We will build on our strong support for the trades and add to the network of Technical Education Centres attached to TAFEs across the State,” Ms Pike said.
“Young Victorians are the lifeblood of our trades, that’s why we’ll invest strongly to deliver more choices and better pathways for students preparing to move from school to the workforce.
“We’ll give students the best head start in life by providing an opportunity for them to complete pre-apprenticeships and other hands-on vocational education and training (VET) in state-of-the-art trade classrooms during their school years.
“Whether it’s preparing for an apprenticeship at school, or studying a trade at a Technical Education Centre – Labor will deliver the facilities young people need to train and then get the job they want.”
Ms Duncan said it was important to utilise the talents of each and every young person to keep Victoria’s economy strong.
“In addition, Labor has committed to retaining the former Sunbury Victoria University campus at Jacksons Hill for education and training for the Sunbury and Macedon ranges growth corridor,” Ms Duncan said.
“Labor’s strong investment in trade skills demonstrates our commitment to equipping our young people with the skills they need to succeed.”