Wednesday, 31 May 2023

Holmesglen Institute

Report 2022

Ryan BATCHELOR (Southern Metropolitan) (17:29): I rise to note the 2022 annual report of the Holmesglen Institute of TAFE – just up the road from where I grew up in the electorate of Southern Metropolitan – which was tabled on 2 May this year. Last year Holmesglen enrolled over 18,000 learners in their senior secondary certificates, vocational programs and higher education degrees. An additional 7000 learners enrolled in their skill sets and non-award programs, helping them to develop foundational or specific work-related skills. In 2022 Holmesglen TAFE celebrated 40 years of supporting learners, business partners and the local community through exceptional education, training and applied research. One of the defining features of Holmesglen is the range of courses that aims to help learners develop work-related skills while gaining qualifications to help them find a job. They offer a wide range of courses, both in person and online, focused on building future-ready graduates. Holmesglen have taken up the Labor government’s free TAFE initiative, offering tuition-free pathways to students studying certificates in building and construction, business, law and IT, education, health and community services.

The Andrews Labor government is committed to the rebuild of the TAFE system, which was obviously so badly decimated under the previous Liberal government, because we know the skills that we need to build Victoria are learned at TAFE. Since 2014 the Labor government has invested more than $4 billion into the TAFE and training system to ensure that Victorians have access to high-quality education and rewarding career paths. This includes an investment of over $500 million in the 2023–‍24 state budget announced last week. Our free TAFE initiative has so far provided access to priority training for more than 137,000 students across Victoria, saving them $340 million in student fees.

It was a bit concerning to note members opposite in their contributions on a motion earlier today questioning whether the free TAFE program was sustainable. I hope that this is not an indication that their future plans are to sharpen the axe for TAFE again.

Members interjecting.

Ryan BATCHELOR: You did, you did. We know they have got form. The previous coalition government ripped a billion dollars out of TAFE, shut down 22 TAFE campuses and sacked 2000 teachers. That is their attitude to the TAFE system here in Victoria: shut down our TAFEs. And instead –

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: Order! Statements on reports are usually heard in silence, so let us have a go at that.

Ryan BATCHELOR: More students are getting the skills they need for the jobs that are being created in the Victorian economy. Across our economy free TAFE is delivering the pipeline of skilled workers that we need. As of January 2023 we have delivered on our election commitment to change the eligibility criteria for government-subsidised places, making free TAFE available to people with higher level qualifications. We are also offering the opportunity to enrol in more than one free course on a specified training pathway, opening up eligibility to more than 2 million Victorians with an existing higher qualification. We have removed the once-in-a-lifetime limit on free TAFE courses within specific training pathways, including nursing, early childhood, community services and building and construction. This means that more than 80 free TAFE qualifications, micro-credentials and short courses are now available to Victorians in 2023 to address our highest priority skills and training needs. The expanded eligibility criteria allow people to go back and retrain later in life even if they have already completed a course or higher education degree.

Free TAFE offers pathways to vocational education for students who previously found it out of reach, and the numbers do not lie: free TAFE has increased access for women, unemployed people and students with a disability. Since the beginning of the program we have seen increases across all sorts of marginalised and diverse groups in TAFE courses. Amongst those enrolling in fee-free courses are 59 per cent more women, 42 per cent more learners who identify as having a disability, 46 per cent more culturally and linguistically diverse students, 50 per cent more unemployed Victorians who are seeking jobs after gaining qualifications and 22 per cent more students in regional Victoria. Places like Holmesglen TAFE and things like free TAFE qualifications are the backbone of the future skilled workforce in Victoria, and this government is investing to support them.