Coalition Proposes Technical Colleges for Trades Training
Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson pledged on Sunday to establish almost a dozen technical colleges designed to fast-track secondary students into apprenticeships. The Coalition plan aims to provide hands-on vocational education in trades including plumbing, carpentry, and electrics to 5,000 students.
The proposal involves creating 10 new colleges located at existing secondary schools and TAFE institutes. Wilson stated the initiative would cost $222 million over eight years, with each college catering for up to 500 students.
Wilson described the policy as a response to a "serious workforce challenge" and skills crisis in the state, specifically citing the need for tradespeople to build new homes. The plan replicates a model previously announced in South Australia in 2022.
Labor Directs Mineral Royalties to Regional Victoria
While Wilson campaigned outside Melbourne, Victorian Labor Premier Ben Carroll announced a policy to direct all mineral resource royalties raised in the state to its regions. The announcement was made under a "royalties for regions" scheme expected to generate $500 million over the next four years.
Premier Carroll stated that Victoria is "blessed" with rare earths and gold, arguing that the state needs to embrace the critical minerals race to grow its economy. The Labor policy took direct inspiration from Western Australia, which rolled out a similar program in 2008 to set aside 25 per cent of royalties for regional projects.
Industry Reaction and Broader Context
The Minerals Council of Australia executive director James Sorahan welcomed the move, stating that strategic investment would help address challenges including shortages of trades skills. This announcement comes as both leaders make policy announcements ahead of the November election, with fewer than 50 days until polling day.
Labor’s Existing Infrastructure Investments
Alongside the royalty pledge, Labor has highlighted its existing infrastructure investments in technical education. The party opened the Brimbank Tech School at Victoria University's Sunshine campus in August as part of a $116 million investment in STEM education.
The Brimbank Tech School will enrol more than 13,000 secondary students from 15 partner schools and is the third of six tech schools established across the state. These developments underscore the competitive landscape for vocational training and regional development funding as the election approaches.