The TAFE board and executives met yesterday with Steve Herbert to discuss an application for funds from the rescue package. 

Mr Herbert said he was confident after the meeting with South-West TAFE chief executive officer Mark Fidge and the board that the institute could build its offerings to the community. 

“Rather than dwell on the past, they have a positive plan for the future,” Mr Herbert said. 

“We’ve discussed their financial circumstances and the application to access $20 million emergency funding that has been made available.”  

Mr Herbert said Victorian TAFEs had lost $70 million, and defended the government’s move to make $20 million available now. 

He said each TAFE had different circumstances and while it wasn’t an emergency across the board, there was a crisis with 3000 staff retrenched from the sector. 

“The government announced a $320 million rescue package before the election,” Mr Herbert said. 

“That will come into effect at the next budget, but because of the financial circumstances we brought forward this $20 million immediately. 

“We think that will be enough. Each tafe has a different set of circumstances. 

“We believe $20 million will really give them a boost to keep those courses going, have new offerings, keep their staff and then the main funding will start coming through mid-year.”  

He said he hoped to make an annoucnement in the coming weeks about how much emergency funding South-West TAFE would get. 

A forum was also held with Mr Herbert and industry representatives to assess skills training needs and challenges and how South-West Tafe and the government could grow productivity, profitability and jobs. 

As part of the minister’s visit, a whole-staff planning and brainstorming day was run to ensure all staff understood a new strategic plan. 

The minister earmarked health, food and fibre production and traditional trades such as construction as potential courses to drive industry growth. 

Mr Fidge said funding from the rescue package would put the institute in a position to expand its courses, employ new staff and better engage with industry. 

Mr Fidge said he would like to look at the institute’s hospitality and retail courses in an attempt to stem youth unemployment figures in the region.

“I think we can really add some value to training opportunities and alternatives for students,” he said. 

“That will help business in the region as well. 

“The government’s food and fibre plan is an exciting opportunity and we’ll look to expand on some of the courses we are already running.”