Sarah Courtney,Minister for Skills, Training and Workforce Growth
A $10 million Virtual Campus will soon enable TasTAFE's remote learners to engage and connect with training online as part of the Tasmanian Liberal Government's plan to improve access to training for students.
It comes as part of the Tasmanian Liberal Government's $98.5 million election commitment to deliver the next evolution of TasTAFE to ensure it is accessible to all students and delivering the training industry needs as part of our First 100 day plan.
This is because we recognise that TasTAFE training is vital to building a skilled Tasmanian workforce and providing the job opportunities for Tasmanians that are looking for work.
Planning is now underway to create a hybrid learning model that provides a blend of remotely facilitated training, practical, on-campus experiences and 24-hour access to digital content and learning activities, with an implementation plan developed to guide the project.
The Virtual Campus will be a staged process with the first programs to be piloted in the second half of 2022 and a target of 75 products available by the end of 2025.
A further $4 million will be invested into rural and remote sites which can service TasTAFE training through a partnership between Libraries Tasmania and TasTAFE. Work to identify priority locations has commenced, with the first stage of an implementation plan incorporated into the Virtual Campus plan.
In addition, we will invest $10 million into the Alanvale Campus in Launceston to revitalising infrastructure in a number of areas to improve student access and experience
The Alanvale projects include:
*A new student learning hub to replace the current library;
*The expansion of the health training hub to include a new alcohol, drugs and youth mental health training facility; and
*Equipment and technology upgrades for Electrotechnology and Metals and Fabrication workshops at Alanvale Campus to support apprentice training and keep pace with industry requirements.
Planning is now underway for all TasTAFE capital works including the Alanvale project, as well as $12 million for trade spaces and new accommodation in the north-west and new student accommodation in the south.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government has a plan for TasTAFE, and we will continue to support industry and deliver accessible training which helps Tasmanians find a job, upskills or change careers.
These announcements deliver on our commitments outlined in our First 100 day plan to begin planning for all TasTAFE capital works, commence work with Libraries Tasmania to identify locations to offer training and develop an implementation plan to deliver the virtual campus.
