Liam McNally
Melton residents will be able to study at a TAFE close to home under a Labor state election pledge.
A re-elected Labor government will invest more than $45 million to begin work on a new TAFE, which will fund land acquisition and construction.
It plans for the facility to begin construction by 2024, and once completed, be able to provide training for about 600 students.
Melton mayor Goran Kesic said council welcomed the commitment to build a new TAFE in Melton that focuses on construction skills.
“The booming construction and logistics industry have created an urgent need for skilled labour, and without a local TAFE, young people are missing out on the opportunity to fill these jobs,” he said.
“We know that if you live, learn and work in the community, you’re more likely to stay there in the long term and help build a vibrant resilient city.”
Melton council has been advocating for local access to tertiary education and vocational learning.
As reported by Star Weekly, council had called on the state government to build a TAFE in Cobblebank.
Council has identified attracting and retaining professionals to the area as an ongoing challenge, meaning training and educating local residents is critical to delivering long-term sustainable construction jobs.
Melton is one of the fastest-growing areas in the nation, with population expected to reach 332,051 by 2036.
It’s also one of the youngest regions in Australia, with 53 per cent of residents aged under 35.
