National Skills Agreement to drive TAFE funding

THE Gordon TAFE will be one of the major beneficiaries of the federal and state governments’ new National Skills Agreement (NSA), which places TAFE at the heart of sector reform.

Approved on Monday this week, the five-year NSA will take effect from January 2024 and will see the federal government invest up to $3.15 billion to expand access to Victoria’s VET sector, which will support quality training and address critical skills needs.

Victoria is expected to experience significant workforce growth over the next five years, and the NSA will provide investment into training, infrastructure, and initiatives to increase participation.

The NSA includes significant baseline funding commitments to TAFEs such as The Gordon – Geelong’s leading TAFE provider, operating across four campuses – and Victoria will also get a $105 million extension to its Free TAFE initiative, securing an additional 62,800 Free TAFE places over the next three years.

“We have signed on to the new National Skills Agreement because the Victorian government believes our shared national vision for TAFE and skills will build a stronger future for Victoria,” Victorian Minister for Skills and Training Gayle Tierney said.

“The agreement includes crucial measures for Victoria including additional funding for TAFE Centres of Excellence and working together to tackle the skills needs of our fastest growing industries.”

“With more opportunities for Victorians, we’re making sure everyone has access to the training they need for the job they want.”