A new health and learning hub in Melbourne's eastern suburbs is now open, providing world-class vocational education and training for Victorians.
Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney officially opened the Integrated Health and Technology Learning Hub at Swinburne University of Technology's Wantirna campus, where Victoria's next generation of health and community services workers will train in cutting-edge facilities.
Hosting a range of courses - including Free TAFE courses like the Diploma of Nursing, Certificate III in Individual Support, and the Certificate IV in Community Services - the hub is expected to welcome 3,000 students each year.
The contemporary learning hub features digital learning spaces, clinical teaching rooms and a home care room and is fitted with specialist equipment, designed to simulate real-world healthcare settings so students are confident and job-ready when they enter the workforce.
Across Victoria, the demand for workers with healthcare skills is increasing - it is expected 86,500 new workers will enter the health care and social assistance industry by 2027 - making the hub critical to growing this workforce and making sure industry has the talent it needs now and into the future.
The Allan Labor Government has a strong track record of supporting Victorians who want to undertake training for in-demand jobs, including through the Free TAFE initiative - creating a pipeline of skilled workers and opening up more career opportunities.
In partnership with the Albanese Government, Free TAFE has been a gamechanger for Victorians, who remember the carnage caused when the Liberals sacked more than 2,000 TAFE teachers, shut 22 TAFE campuses and ripped $1 billion from TAFEs across Victoria when they were last in Government.
The Labor Government saved TAFE in Victoria, rebuilt a crumbling vocational education sector - then made it better than it's ever been with Free TAFE. Since 2014, the Labor Government has invested more than $16 billion in new and base funding into our TAFE and training system, ensuring Victorians have access to high quality education and rewarding career pathways.
To find out more about what's on offer at TAFE, visit vic.gov.au/free-tafe.
As stated by Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney
"The next generation of health and community workers will get cutting-edge training and in-demand skills, thanks to investment in facilities just like this one."
"This world-class facility will help to build the strong pipeline of essential skilled workers that our health and community sectors need."
As stated by Member for South-Eastern Metropolitan Michael Galea
"This brand-new facility will give students in Knox and Melbourne's east access to world-class TAFE facilities right at their doorstep."
As stated by Swinburne University of Technology's Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Vocational Education and Training, Madelyn Bolch
"Swinburne's purpose-built facility brings together state-of-the-art equipment and tech with real-world scenarios to equip our students with the skills they need."
"As a proud multisector university, this simulated environment provides our students with immersive and interdisciplinary hands-on learning, enabling better application of theory to practice and the opportunity to work together as they would in the workplace."
