Labor Is Getting On With Reopening Swinburne Lilydale TAFE
The Andrews Labor Government today took a big step towards its key election commitment to reopen the former Swinburne University of Technology, Lilydale campus following a dedicated campaign from the local community.
Minister for Training and Skills, Steve Herbert, said the re-opening of the campus would be taken to the next stage with the Request for Proposal (RFP) process kicking off today, with an expected opening in the first half of 2016.
Victoria’s public TAFE institutes and dual sector universities are now invited to submit their proposals to purchase and deliver vocational training and higher education at the Lilydale campus.
Visiting the site today with Member for Monbulk and Minister for Education, James Merlino, Mr Herbert said the Labor Government had consulted extensively with the community and their feedback has been included in supporting documentation to ensure bidders understand what locals want at the site.
Bidders will be asked to incorporate proposals for the new tech school in the Yarra Ranges to be co-located on the site and retain the current location of Melba Support Services as part of their bid.
The bidders have also been asked to include ongoing strategies to support the Labor Government’s commitment to address youth unemployment and disadvantage in local communities by providing access to training that will open up job opportunities and pathways to further education.
The Labor Government’s 2015-16 Victorian Budget provided a $350 million boost to TAFE funding, including $10 million to support the re-opening of the campus, which closed in 2013 following cuts to TAFE funding by the previous Liberal Government.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills, Steve Herbert
“The Andrews Labor Government promised to reopen the Swinburne Lilydale campus. We set aside $10 million in our first Budget to secure it, and today we’re moving one big step closer.”
“We’ve asked the community what they want to see at the campus, and the Government has ensured that what reopens in Lilydale has local needs at its heart.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Monbulk and Minister for Education, James Merlino
“Only Labor listened to the community, and now we’re making sure it reopens once more to provide TAFE and higher education for locals.”
“TAFEs means skills and skills mean jobs. It’s essential to Yarra Ranges that we get this campus back up and running, to ensure the community has access to high-quality training and education.”