A $2.4 million funding injection will help vulnerable students remain in study at Victoria University’s TAFE division.
Announced on Monday, the funding to Victoria Polytechnic (VPoly) is drawn from the state government’s $320 million TAFE Rescue Fund, and helps reverse some of the savage cuts to TAFE made by the former government.
The funding will assist student outreach services that provide counselling, welfare programs and disability assistance, as well as boosting language, literacy and numeracy programs.
VU vice-chancellor Professor Peter Dawkins said the university has a proud history of creating opportunities for students to succeed.
“This funding will enable us to continue providing the quality training we have delivered for the past 100 years,” he said.
VPoly vice-president Grant Dreher said the funding was a step in the right direction that would assist up to 2000 students.
“It is welcome news,” he said.
“Some community service expectations on TAFE providers have been difficult to deliver.”
Diploma of beauty therapy student Ksenija Bogdanovic said student support services were vital to success, especially in courses with students from diverse backgrounds.
Footscray MP Marsha Thomson said Victoria University plays an important role in helping disadvantaged students access training and job opportunities.
“This will be helpful with outreach support in areas such as language and numeracy, which is very important in the western suburbs.”
