Victoria’s Minister for Skills and TAFE has dropped in to The Gordon TAFE’s East Geelong campus to announce funding for inclusive education.
Minister Gayle Tierney announced the State government would put in $540,000 in grants through the Victorian Skills Authority’s Local Skills Partnerships Program, which supports TAFEs and other institutions to collaborate with industry to address training challenges.
The Gordon received $150,000 to develop a disability awareness program, which is being piloted with automotive apprenticeships.
The TAFE will develop digital materials and courses to support employers and teachers with inclusive practices. A program will also be designed for students to build confidence and help them advocate for themselves.
The government believes this will improve training outcomes and create a better TAFE experience for automotive apprentices with disability. People with disability have lower TAFE enrolments that those without.
“Our policies and investment in skills and training are helping more Victorians start and complete qualifications, including more young people, people with disability, regional Victorians and early school leavers,” Tierney said.
“We’re proud to support The Gordon with the Centre of Excellence in Disability Inclusion, which is a groundbreaking project to boost employment outcomes for people with disability.”
Inclusion at TAFE
The funding complements the work The Gordon has already done at its Centre of Excellence in Disability Inclusion, which is expected to open in mid-2027.
The Gordon recently published the Co-Created Vision for the Centre of Excellence in Disability Inclusion, which was crafted with input from people with lived experience of disability.
Since 2024, a series of workshops have shaped the Centre’s shared vision for a more inclusive TAFE system. These workshops have included students, families, disability advocates, educators, employers and government partners. The Gordon is now working closely with these groups to develop the Centre’s operating model.