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Bond Backs Gippsland Tertiary Education Council to Address Latrobe Valley Skill Shortage

Discussion for the region’s shortage of diesel mechanics and the return of the Gippsland Tertiary Education Council.

By Portal Admin - 5th November 2018 - Back to News

The Nationals candidate for Morwell Sheridan Bond and Shadow Minister for Training and Skills, Steph Ryan have today met with Latrobe Valley Bus Lines to discuss the region’s shortage of diesel mechanics and discuss the return of the Gippsland Tertiary Education Council.

Latrobe Valley Bus Lines is a business that would like to see the local skill shortage addressed by training providers.

Sheridan Bond said The Nationals are committed to fixing training in Gippsland through the reintroduction of the Gippsland Tertiary Education Council cut by the Labor government in 2014.

"The Nationals will bring the focus back to meeting the needs of students and local industry", said Ms Bond.

"With their recent investment in hybrid technology Latrobe Valley Bus Lines is a proven industry leader and a local success story, however the reality is they are struggling to attract diesel mechanics to maintain and repair their impressive fleet.

"It is vital that we facilitate pathways between tertiary education providers and employment opportunities."

The function of the Gippsland Tertiary Education Council is to bring together business and industry, with training providers, to provide direct advice on the future of education and training in the region.

Deputy Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Training and Skills, Steph Ryan said the Council will be tasked with providing leadership to restore confidence in the local sector.

"There are industries across Gippsland facing critical skill shortages and we need to ensure training is targeted so local people fill the skill gaps," said Ms Ryan.

"The Council will determine the direction for training so that it meets the future needs of local industries. It will also advise the path to lift attainment levels among local students."

People with understanding of training and education providers in Gippsland will be on the 11- member Council, which will be appointed by the Minister for Training and Skills and supported by an executive officer.

"If we are meeting the training needs of our region, it means local people who choose to upskill or reskill can have confidence there’ll be a local job opportunity at the end," Ms Bond said.

"The Nationals are committed to ensuring institutions like TAFE can meet the needs of our local economy at a time when hundreds of people have lost work because of the closure of Hazelwood."


The Nationals candidate for Morwell, Sheridan Bond, Deputy Leader of The Nationals Steph Ryan and General Manager Latrobe Valley Bus Lines Anna Tyben discuss the skill shortage of diesel mechanics in Latrobe Valley and the Gippsland Tertiary Education Council.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: support@gippsland.com