VIC: Bracks boosts investment in skills
Since 1999, Labor has spent $5.45 billion on education and training. In contrast, Jeff Kennett's government was spending less per student on education than any other State or Territory in Australia.
Date: 21 March 2006
The Bracks Labor Government recently announced a plan to invest $241 million in the skills of current and future generations of workers by encouraging more young people into trades, providing opportunities for workers to update skills and also helping business match the skills training to their own initiatives.
The workforce is now characterised by an ageing population, skill shortages and increased global competition and into the future we need to be highly skilled, adaptable and innovative, to keep up with industry demands.
The Bracks Government is committed to meeting this important challenge
The $241m investment brings the amount spent by Labor on education and training to $5.45 billion since 1999. This is in stark contrast to the Liberal-National Government which, by 1999, was spending less per student on education than any other state or territory in Australia. (Commonwealth Grants Commission Report 2000)
Package details
The package of initiatives,
developed by the Bracks Government, will provide support for young Victorians
to achieve the highest level of education or training with four new senior
secondary Technical Education Centres
being established.
Funds will also be allocated for assistance in addressing local skill shortages and attracting more young people into apprenticeships. Skills Stores will be established to provide information on education and training opportunities and, to assist businesses plan for the future.
Information will be made widely available for people of all ages on the range of education, training and employment opportunities open to them and there will be an injection of capital equipment for Victoria’s network of TAFE institutes.
The skills and qualifications of adults and older workers will be improved by access to training courses and the support of Industry Skills Advisers.
Regional Victoria will be well looked after receiving two of the four new Technical Centres, along with nine new Skills Stores.
These are ground-breaking initiatives by a Government that cares about workers and their families and understands that the strength of the economy rests firmly on the shoulders of an adaptable and highly skilled workforce.
