Two new courses have been added to the State’s Free TAFE program to help Victorians gain the skills to identify and respond to gender inequality and family violence.
Announced by Minister for Training and Skills, Gayle Tierney, the new fee-free courses meet key recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence and support the Gender Equality Act 2020.
“They include Course in Gender Equity, the first accredited training program of its type in Australia, to give workers the tools to promote gender equity in the workplace and understand Victorian legislation,” Ms Tierney said.
“Identifying and Responding to Family Violence Risk will help upskill community services workers with key risk assessment, risk management and referral skills to provide an initial response to family violence,” she said.
“These courses are particularly important in strengthening gender equity and preventing family violence.”
Ms Tierney said a further seven new Free TAFE courses would be offered in 2022, including courses in veterinary nursing, tourism and health and aged care to meet Government priority areas and skills demands.
The Minister said 93,000 students had started courses in the Free TAFE program since its launch in February 2019.
Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence, Gabrielle Williams said the two new courses would be vital to supporting efforts to promote gender equality in all settings and driving the cultural change needed to help achieve a “Victoria free from violence”.
