If elected, a Shorten Labor Government will invest $2 million in a cyber security training centre at the Kangan Institute, Broadmeadows TAFE, to meet the needs of Victoria’s rapidly expanding digital technology industries. The Victorian ICT industry employs about 85,000 people and is expected to grow sharply in the short to medium term.
This $2 million investment will include upgrades to teaching labs and the installation of computer hardware. Cyber security has been identified as having a critical skills shortage. At present, TAFE’s offering the Certificate IV are at capacity and unable to take additional enrolments.
Kangan Institute’s interim CEO Phill Murphy welcomed the commitment. “Kangan Institute is committed to supporting local communities to access jobs in skill shortage areas in line with the Victorian Government’s Skills First policy,” Mr Murphy said.
“Cyber security has been identified as a critical skills shortage and is included in the Victorian Free TAFE initiative in 2019. “This funding pledge will enable Kangan Institute to provide local residents with more pathways to in-demand careers in information communications technology as they benefit from the supportive learning environment offered at TAFE.”
The Victorian Government has committed to making the State a leader in digital technology within the Asia-Pacific region. Oxford University has also established a Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre, its first international office, in Melbourne. ICT education has until recently been dominated by private providers, highlighting the need for the TAFE sector to match the facilities that some private providers offer, whilst providing a high quality, supportive learning environment. The upgrades are part of Federal Labor’s $200 million Building TAFE for the Future Fund aimed at revitalising TAFE campuses across Australia.
If elected, Labor will provide more than $1 billion in additional investment in TAFE, including: • 150,000 additional Apprentice Incentives. • 100,000 TAFE places with no upfront fees. • 20,000 adult apprentices. • 10,000 pre-apprenticeship programs.
Labor will also ensure one in every 10 jobs on major Commonwealth and defence projects is filled by Australian apprentice. We will also conduct a once in a generation inquiry into the post-secondary education system to identify and fix the problems created by the Liberals. This election is a choice between Labor’s plan for TAFE or bigger tax loopholes for the top end of town under the Liberals.
THURSDAY, 2 MAY 2019
MEDIA CONTACT: LABOR CAMPAIGN MEDIA – 02 9165 8299
