Providing all Victorians with high-quality education and training is critical. This empowers them to secure meaningful employment, strengthens the capability of the Victorian workforce and contributes to the state’s social and economic prosperity.
Since 2022, actions from the Skills Plans such as building foundation skills, fostering partnerships across the skills system to enhance inclusion, bridging the gender gap and empowering First Nations peoples are supporting better access to, and participation in, education and training for many Victorians.
Key achievements since the 2022 Skills Plan include the examples below.
| Through government support and investment, more Victorians are participating in education and training | |
|---|---|
| Eligibility for government-subsidised training and Free TAFE has been expanded to support more Victorians to up-skill and re-skill. Learners can now access their first Free TAFE course regardless of their prior qualifications and can up-skill in priority sectors. | ✔ |
| The Literacy and Numeracy Support program was added to the Free TAFE list in 2023, supporting Victorians enrolled in a VET course to develop the foundation skills needed to complete their training and secure employment. Available across the Victorian TAFE network, it has seen improved co-enrolled subject completion rates, with over 90% of learners reporting they have used the skills and knowledge learned. | ✔ |
| Learn Local Industry Practice Networks have been established across aged care, health support services, and construction industries to support industry engagement with Learn Locals. The Just-in-Time initiative supports Learn Locals to partner with employers to run pre-accredited foundation skills programs that address workforce needs and support priority learners to gain practical work skills. | ✔ |
| The Respect and Equality in TAFE initiative has been embedded in the practices of the TAFE Network. It helps to prevent violence against women and addresses barriers to female participation in education, training and employment by building safe environments for learners and staff and promoting a culture of equality and respect. | ✔ |
| Through the Self-Determination in Learn Locals Koorie Education Initiative, protocols have been established to guide Learn Local providers in fostering culturally safe environments and embedding First Nations perspectives within their curricula to lift participation of First Nations learners in education and training. | ✔ |
| The Wurreker Strategy continues to support Koorie Student Support Officer and Koorie Liaison Officer roles at TAFEs. This grows the First Nations workforce and improves cultural safety for First Nations teachers and students. It also supports TAFEs to provide programs that support First Nations students in Victoria and to increase access to training and education for First Nations learners. | ✔ |
| Disability Transition Support Officers, in place at every Victorian TAFE and dual sector provider, support students with a disability as they move from school to TAFE. They collaborate through a Community of Practice to share expertise and deliver consistent high-quality support. | ✔ |
| The Gordon's Centre of Excellence in Disability Inclusion is being co-designed with people with disability, learners and graduates with disability and their families, and disability support networks. The Centre's aim is to improve equity outcomes and inclusion knowledge across the TAFE network, advance inclusive education and promote best practice workplace inclusion. | ✔ |
Since the release of the 2024 Skills Plan, the Victorian Government has continued to support more Victorians to access and participate in education and training through:
- delivering stronger foundational skills and more one-on-one support services
- empowering self-determination for First Nations peoples
- improving access for Victorians with a disability
- supporting apprentices.
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