KNOX: Health hub opens at Wantirna
A new health and learning hub at Wantirna is now open, providing world-class vocational education and training for Victorians.
Gayle Tierney (pictured), Minister for Skills and TAFE, officially opened the Integrated Health and Technology Learning Hub at Swinburne University of Tech-nology’s Wantirna campus, where Victoria’s next generation of health and community services workers will train in cutting-edge facilities.
Hosting a range of courses – including free TAFE courses like the Diploma of Nursing, Certificate III in Individual Support, and the Certificate IV in Community Services – the hub is expected to welcome 3000 students each year.
The contemporary learning hub features digital learning spaces, clinical teaching rooms and a home care room and is fitted with specialist equipment, designed to simulate real-world healthcare settings so students are confident and job-ready when they enter the workforce.
Across Victoria, the demand for workers with healthcare skills is increasing – it is expected 86,500 new workers will enter the health care and social assistance industry by 2027 – making the hub critical to growing this workforce and making sure industry has the talent it needs now and into the future.
The State Government says that it has a strong track record of supporting Victorians who want to undertake training for in-demand jobs, including through the free TAFE initiative – creating a pipeline of skilled workers and opening up more career opportunities.
“The next generation of health and community workers will get cutting-edge training and in-demand skills, thanks to investment in facilities just like this one,”
said Ms Tierney.
“This world-class facility will help to build the strong pipeline of essential skilled workers that our health and community sectors need.”
Michael Galea, South-Eastern Metropolitan MLC, said: “This brand-new facility will give students in Knox and Melbourne’s east access to world-class TAFE facilities right at their doorstep.”
Swinburne University of Technology’s Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Vocational Education and Training, Madelyn Bolch, said:
“Swinburne’s purpose-built facility brings together state-of-the-art equipment and tech with real-world scenarios to equip our students with the skills they need.”
“As a proud multi-sector university, this simulated environment provides our students with immersive and interdisciplinary hands-on learning, enabling better application of theory to practice and the opportunity to work together as they would in the workplace.”
A Government representative said: “The Labor Government saved TAFE in Victoria, rebuilt a crumbling vocational education sector – then made it better than it’s ever been with free TAFE. Since 2014, the Labor Government has invested more than $16 billion in new and base funding.”