More Victorians will have access to the skills they need for the job they want, with funding for an extra 10,000 places across the TAFE and training system for people looking to reskill after the pandemic and move into healthcare and other in-demand jobs.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney visited Bendigo Kangan Institute’s new Essendon Health Hub to announce the $61.6 million investment – which will give more Victorians the opportunity to get new skills for a secure job.

The pandemic has seen people all over the world thinking more about what really matters to each of us – family, where we want to live, what we want to do for work. For many, it’s been a time consider a different career path and these new subsidised places will help people get started.

Jobseekers can choose to study any VET course, including from the Andrews Labor Government’s signature Free TAFE list. Even Victorians who already have another qualification – including a degree – can still access these training places at any TAFE across the state if they’re looking to reskill or change careers after the pandemic.

Importantly, this investment will help boost our local pipeline of highly skilled workers for jobs now and into the future – particularly in high-demand industries such as healthcare, hospitality, early childhood education, construction and trades.

Once its refurbishment is completed in June this year, the new Health Hub at Essendon will train approximately 900 health students each year. New nursing and pathology simulation labs have been built to reflect actual healthcare settings and ensure students are fully prepared when they start work, strengthening Victoria’s healthcare workforce.

In 2020, the most popular courses across the TAFE system included mental health, nursing and allied health assistance – as the pandemic highlighted the importance of a strong health and care workforce.

More than 100,000 Victorians have already signed up to our Free TAFE program since it was introduced in 2019 – making rewarding career pathways accessible to more people and saving them more than $220 million in cumulative course fees.

The Labor Government has kept our promise to save and rebuild TAFE with a record $1.7 billion investment to ensure Victorians have access to high quality skills and training to and rewarding career pathways.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“The pandemic made it clearer than ever just how much we need highly skilled people in our health system – whether it’s nursing, allied health or pathology – if you want a job that really matters then now is the time to make a change.”

“There has never been a better time to explore your options at TAFE in Victoria.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney

“We all know that workers in sectors like healthcare, hospitality and early childhood are in high demand right now so these extra places will mean more Victorians have a chance to get the skills they need for the job they want.”

Quote attributable to Bendigo Kangan Institute CEO Sally Curtain

“This will make a real difference to communities right across Victoria and we are looking forward to continuing to create training opportunities and connecting with industry to ensure our students thrive and reach their potential.”