The Victorian Government will refurbish Federation TAFE’s training restaurant and invest in Australia’s first apprenticeship for wind turbine blade technicians.
The government investments aim to provide better training options for Ballarat jobseekers.
Training and Skills Minister Gayle Tierney visited Federation TAFE to announce the investment worth more than $2.1 million, featuring a $750,000 upgrade to Prospects hospitality centre.
“This investment will ensure Federation TAFE can continue providing the best training options to Ballarat jobseekers across hospitality, agriculture and renewables – and is preparing us for the skills we need now and into the future,” Tierney said.
The licensed restaurant will be completely refurbished with the kitchen upgraded, which will enable more than 100 commercial cookery, patisserie and hospitality students to advance their skills in an industry-standard training environment.
Federation University Australia Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Duncan Bentley said, “the funding will support our hospitality students into the workplace, with access to the same equipment they will be using when entering commercial cooking jobs.”
The State Government is also investing more than $755,000 to prepare Victorian jobseekers for the renewable energy sector, by introducing Australia’s first apprenticeship for wind turbine blade technicians at the 23-metre wind turbine training tower at Mount Helen campus.
A further $370,000 will be invested to upgrade the Computer Numerical Control Machine for students in cabinet making, furniture making and joinery, $150,000 to modernise IT equipment in the carpentry classroom, $60,000 to purchase modern side-by-side vehicles and $40,000 to refurbish the glass house.
Since 2014, the Victorian Government has invested $3.2 billion into rebuilding TAFE and supporting universities to ensure Victorians have access to high-quality education and rewarding career pathways.