$1.8 million funding boost for residential care worker training

The Victorian State Government today announced a $1.8 million funding boost for residential care training, which will enable a Melbourne Polytechnic-led project deliver TAFE training to an additional 700 Victorian residential care workers.

Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney said the funding would ensure all of Victoria’s 2100-strong residential care workforce are able to meet mandatory minimum qualifications requirements for the sector, which came into effect at the beginning of this year.

The funding extension builds on the Victorian Government’s $8 million investment to train 1400 residential care workers, announced in 2017, and will ensure all workers across the sector hold at least Certificate IV in Child, Youth & Family Intervention (residential and out of home care).

Developed in collaboration with the residential care sector, industry training providers and the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, the training will be delivered across Melbourne and regional Victoria by five TAFEs including Melbourne Polytechnic.

“This significant training initiative is supporting Victoria’s residential and out of home care workers to further develop their skills and achieve the qualifications they need to remain working in this incredibly important, and challenging environment,” said Frances Coppolillo, CEO of Melbourne Polytechnic.

“The success of this training initiative reflects the flexibility and responsiveness of Melbourne Polytechnic and the TAFE sector to be able to provide high quality training in specialised industries.”

The residential care sector provides accommodation and support for vulnerable children and young people who, as a result of neglect or abuse, are unable to live with their family.

The project is being funded under the Regional and Specialist Training Fund, part of the Victorian Government’s Skills First initiative, which is delivering training that meet the needs of regional industry and specific community needs.

Media Enquiries 

Media enquiries should be directed to Melbourne Polytechnic Media on 03 9269 1251, or media@melbournepolytechnic.edu.au

Melbourne Polytechnic operates across seven campuses and five specialist training centres throughout Melbourne. The institute delivers high quality vocational and higher education in industry-standard facilities.