- Minister for Higher Education
- Minister for Training and Skills
Victorians wanting to pursue a career in the defence technology and manufacturing sector will soon have access to new cutting-edge training, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney today visited leading Victorian manufacturing firm A.W. Bell in Dandenong South to announce an $855,000 grant to deliver a new defence manufacturing skills training project.
The funding will assist A.W. Bell to work with Chisholm Institute and industry partners to develop an Australian-first training course in investment casting and defence manufacturing.
Investment casting is the manufacturing process of pouring molten metal into a ceramic shell to produce metal components used in the defence, aerospace, biomedical and other industries.
The new training will involve augmented reality scenarios, so students learn to use, assemble and maintain equipment in a safe and simulated environment.
This training will provide more skilled workers for Victoria's investment casting and foundry industry, which the Labor Government has identified as a priority sector that will drive the state's economic growth and support major global defence supply chain programs.
The project is being funded under the Workplace Training Innovation Fund, part of the Labor Government's Skills First initiative, which is ensuring students receive high-quality training that delivers the workforce skills employers need.
The Workforce Training Innovation Fund is supporting Victorian TAFEs and training providers to work in partnership with industry to develop innovative new training programs, products and projects that harness the very latest technologies and approaches.
Since 2015, the Labor Government has committed more than $1.3 billion to rebuild our TAFE and training system and ensure students can get the skills they need for the jobs they want.
As noted by Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney
"This training will ensure we have the skilled workers we need to be a world leader in defence technology and manufacturing."
"This project is yet another example of the work we're doing to develop innovative, cutting-edge training solutions to meet the needs of both students and industry."
As noted by Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams
"This cutting edge training in Dandenong will help to give locals the skills they need, for jobs in a significant emerging industry."
