Victoria’s teaching workforce is to receive a boost under the 2021-22 State Budget, along with the skills and training sector and the State’s veterans.
In his Budget Papers, Treasurer Tim Pallas said $148 million has been allocated to establish the new Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership.
“The Academy will have a presence in Melbourne’s central business district, as well as seven regional learning centres located in Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura, Moe and Shepparton,” the Treasurer said.
“Building on the existing work of the Bastow Institute of Educational Leadership, the Academy will be dedicated to the professional learning and development of our teachers,” he said.
“The Academy’s flagship Teaching Excellence Program will act as a centre of excellence, enabling teachers to advance their skills by drawing on the latest research.”
The Treasurer said the Academy would also focus on best practice and sharing ideas, knowledge, experience and resources with teachers and the wider school communities.
He said $209 million would be allocated to Victoria’s TAFE and training sector to provide up to 12,200 extra subsidised training places; 4,800 additional places in digital literacy and employment skills courses; and establish the TAFE Equipment and Facilities Fund.
“In this Budget, we’re supporting thousands of jobs and the new Victorian Skills Authority will be central to making sure it’s Victorians who are first in line,” he said.
Mr Pallas said $86 million would go to establishing the new Authority which would ensure people had the right skills to secure a good job; reform the training sector; bring together industry, providers and other stakeholders to identify priority training areas; and support continuous improvement in the quality of teaching and training across the system.
He said the 2021-22 Budget also extended the Public Sector Veterans Employment Strategy to help veterans as they transitioned back into civilian life, after finishing their service.
The 2021-22 Victorian Budget papers can be accessed at this PS News link.
