The Victorian Government has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Victoria’s TAFE network and Master Builders Victoria to encourage skilled construction workers to consider teaching careers. The initiative aims to promote teaching pathways through TAFE programs and mentoring opportunities.

MEA commends the Victorian Government’s efforts to improve teaching capacity within the TAFE system.

This is an essential step in addressing skills shortages across the housing and construction sector.

We continue to advocate for further improvements to overcoming constrained teaching capacity, including:

• Avoiding premature removal of skilled workers from the tools to fill teaching roles.
• Encouraging retiring tradespeople to become trainers while addressing the current qualification barriers at that career stage.
• Ensuring large-scale regional projects plan ahead by securing migrant workers where necessary and allowing time for appropriate training.
• Embracing technology in training delivery to improve access and outcomes, moving beyond the limitations of face-to-face training.

In addition, Victoria does not currently offer fee-free TAFE for the Certificate III in Electrotechnology.

MEA is actively advocating for this to be addressed, to ensure Victorian electrical apprentices have the same fee-free access available in other states.