Thursday, 12 September 2024

South-Eastern Metropolitan Region

Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (14:07): (1132) My question is to the Minister for Skills and TAFE. The Labor government recently cut 22 private training organisations, and this has significantly impacted providing a workforce for both struggling and any growing manufacturing and building trades. This is particularly happening in my electorate of the South-Eastern Metropolitan Region. This makes no sense, when the government’s own Skills First program outlines industries that are considered priorities, like the renewables sector and housing. Victorian manufacturers face skill shortages, such as welders, computer numerical control machine operators and engineers. The South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance, SEMMA, says the government’s funding cuts to the 22 private registered training organisations affect much-needed nationally accredited courses. My question is: will the minister reinstate and financially support our training needs in the south-east?