Media Releases

Minister for Higher Education and Skills Peter Hall has reaffirmed the
Victorian Coalition Government’s support for young people in Gippsland
through the launch of the Gippsland Youth Commitment strategic plan at Moe
today.

Mr Hall, who was joined at the event by Member for Morwell Russell Northe
said the Gippsland Youth Commitment provided government, business and the
community with the opportunity to work together with education and training
providers to tackle some of the challenges facing young people in
Gippsland.

“The Gippsland Youth Commitment has built a solid foundation for the
development of new education and training opportunities for young people in
Gippsland aged between 15 and 19,” Mr Hall said.

“The Commitment is an important regional development strategy that will
harness the expertise of the region to reduce duplication and identify gaps
for young people seeking skills in Gippsland.”

Member for Morwell Russell Northe said local initiatives that provided
education and training opportunities were the key to helping young people
work and learn in an increasingly changing and globalised world.

“The strategy provides a unique and collaborative framework to allow the
broader Gippsland community to come together to tackle local training
challenges and build on local strengths,” Mr Northe said.

The Commitment focuses on five key areas:

· improving participation in tertiary education and addressing high
deferral rates
· ensuring the educational needs of young Koorie people are advanced so
they have the same opportunities as the general population
· continuing to address skill development especially in skills shortage
areas and maths and science
· finding ways to engage young people who are disconnected and
disengaged from work or study
· finding better ways to support transition so all young people reach
their potential.

“This truly region-wide approach to meeting the challenges of the future
reflect how well local people, business, and education providers in
Gippsland can work together on shared goals,” Mr Northe said.

“The Victorian Government shares the ambition of the Gippsland Youth
Commitment to ensure all young people have the skills, capacity and
confidence to reach their full potential and be valued members of the
community.”

Mr Hall recently announced the establishment of a $20 million Regional
Partnerships Facilitation Fund to increase alliances between universities
and Vocational Education and Training providers in regional Victoria to
provide easier access to higher education opportunities for local students

The Government also announced a $157.8 million funding boost for the TAFE
sector in this year's State Budget. The funding included $62.5 million to
cut TAFE fees for youth Healthcare Card holders.



Media Contact: James Martin 0400 744 913