Tuesday, 1 April 2025

Ministers statements: Learn Local providers

Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:42): More than 30,000 Victorians are supported by Learn Locals each year to overcome barriers to training and access essential skills for life and work. Learn Locals are an essential partner with our government, providing transformational opportunities that benefit not only individuals but their families and communities too. I have been fortunate enough to visit many Learn Locals already this year right across the state. I was in Mildura last week, where I was impressed by the great services that four Learn Locals are providing. The Christie Centre has been providing support for people with disability since 1954, including social enterprises like GrowAbility. I had a tour from Austin, Jack and Matt – all have completed their customer service and aspiration-to-work courses and are now being supported in their employment at the GrowAbility Nursery. Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council are providing a much-needed sense of community, English classes and many different preaccredited courses to help get people employed. Local community organisation MADEC has a 54-year history of providing support to people experiencing poverty or distress to get the skills and confidence to get into the workforce. Alongside work-readiness courses and career path advice, Zoe Support Australia provides many vital wraparound services, like transport and child care, to help many young mums get into work. These are just a few of the more than 200 Learn Locals across the state providing opportunities for individuals and families. The Allan Labor government proudly supports the vital work of Learn Locals, which are helping Victorians gain essential skills for life and work.