The Victorian Government unveiled the locations of its new state-of-the-art ‘Tech Schools’, which will provide students with tertiary training alongside regular schooling.
The 10 schools, which the state’s government is allocating $116m towards, will open in 2017 and 2018.
Despite their name, the ‘schools’ will take the form of supplementary classes for high school students at government and non-government schools, allowing students to use leading edge technology to deliver applied STEM education, as well as critical employment skills.
In a statement yesterday, Victoria’s Acting Premier, James Merlino, said the building of the schools delivered on a key promise of the Andrews Government.
“This will give thousands of kids the best possible opportunity to get the skills they need for the jobs they want,” he said.
“We are making Victoria the Education State and ensuring that students get the vital STEM skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow.”
Victoria’s Minister for Training and Skills, Steve Herbert, said the schools would allow students to get hands-on technical training while they continue their studies.
“Tech schools don’t replace a comprehensive education – they’re part of it,” he said.
“These Tech Schools will become centres of excellence, bringing together TAFE, universities, industry and local businesses.”
The new schools will be hosted by TAFEs and universities, with input from local businesses and industry in designing the courses.
The host TAFEs and universities for each new Tech School are:
- Melbourne Polytechnic, Greensborough campus
- La Trobe University, Flora Hill campus
- Chisholm Institute, Berwick campus
- Gordon Institute, Geelong City campus
- Federation Training, Morwell campus
- Monash University, Clayton campus, John Monash Science School
- Melbourne Polytechnic, Epping campus
- Victoria University, Werribee campus
- Box Hill Institute, Lilydale Lakeside campus
- Federation University, Ballarat campus