Skills and TAFE

Our Adult, Community and Further Education, Pathways and Workforce branch enables flexible and accessible learning and employment pathways.

It does this by supporting pathway programs and pre-accredited training for people looking to start their training journey or upskill.

The branch works to ensure Victoria has a pipeline of skilled workers in the sectors that need them. Some of these sectors are a priority for government, such as construction, clean energy and the care economy.

The branch’s main functions are to:

• improve education and employment pathways for adult learners

• help adult learners build the skills they need for work, study and community participation through pre-accredited training  courses. This includes literacy, numeracy, English language, employability and digital skills

• support and build capability of providers of pre-accredited training

• lead projects that create accessible, high-quality and tailored learning opportunities

• oversee the strategy, funding, performance and monitoring of pre-accredited training in Victoria

• coordinate action across government to meet current and future workforce needs in priority industries.

Apprenticeships Victoria works to ensure Victoria’s apprenticeship and traineeship system provides safe, accessible and high-quality training.

We encourage and support more people to enter and successfully complete an apprenticeship or traineeship.

We work closely with a wide range of industry and community partners to ensure apprenticeships and traineeships meet the needs of local communities and businesses.

We strengthen apprenticeship and traineeship outcomes through:

• Free information, support, and advice via our Apprentice Helpdesk. The helpdesk answers any questions or concerns about apprenticeships and traineeships in Victoria.

• The Apprenticeship Support Officer (ASO) program, which provides one-on-one support to apprentices. Our ASOs offer guidance and early intervention to help apprentices stay on track and complete their training.

• Mental health initiatives like the Apprentice Employee Assistance Program, which provides free counselling services and other support.

• Ongoing reforms and improvements inspired by the work of the Apprenticeships Taskforce.

Apprenticeships Victoria aims to ensure that the apprenticeship and traineeship system in Victoria is responsive, inclusive and aligned with the needs of local communities and the state economy.

The Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery (OTCD) leads Victoria's TAFE Network. OTCD drives innovation in how TAFEs provide their training and coordinates the network's delivery of the Victorian Skills Plan.

The OTCD works with 11 TAFEs and 4 dual-sector university TAFE providers in Victoria. We lead the TAFE Network to provide courses and training that meet the needs of industries, communities and students.

OTCD is responsible for:

• strategic planning and coordination, with a focus on improved outcomes and quality

• implementation of TAFE reform initiatives and program delivery

• managing partnerships with individual TAFEs and the TAFE Network

• TAFE training provision planning and delivery against the Victorian Skills Plan

• strategy for reform including shared resources, information and communications technology and procurement

• oversight of the TAFE Network’s financial performance and sustainability

• developing and implementing performance and accountability frameworks

• overseeing construction projects and strategic asset planning

For more information, read the TAFE Network Statement of Priorities.

For advice about learning through TAFEs, contact the TAFE and Training Line:

• Phone: 131 823 between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays)

• Email: tafe.courseline@djsir.vic.gov.au

Through our Policy and Strategy (PSB) branch, we set policy, monitor performance and manage the budget for VET in Victoria. PSB is also responsible for the key policy settings enabling strong VET system stewardship in Victoria, including subsidies, funded courses and Free TAFE policy.

We partner with the Commonwealth Government and other states and territories to progress reform and shape initiatives under the National Skills Agreement (NSA) and other relevant national agreements.

We lead on strategy for training, skills and higher education across all government departments. This ensures consistency and helps government to meet its priorities.

We collate and analyse VET data, including through national data reforms.

The Training Operations and Assurance branch funds and oversees contracted training providers. We also support programs that improve student participation in VET.

Our work ensures that the training sector provides value for money, supports students, and leads to job and skills outcomes. It does this by:

• managing funding contracts

• monitoring contract compliance

• processing training reports

• administering payments and grants to training providers

We oversee government-funded training at Victoria's TAFEs and other training organisations.

The Victorian Skills Authority provides evidence-based planning and solutions to ensure Victoria meets current and future skills needs.

We do this by gathering and analysing data to identify where there are skills shortages in Victoria’s workforce.

We work with industry, employers, unions, TAFEs, and education and training providers to help learners and communities access the skills they need to find meaningful employment in rewarding careers.

The VSA's services and products include:

• the Victorian Skills Gateway website and coursefinder, to help current and prospective students find information about VET courses, apprenticeships and traineeships

• the Victorian Skills Authority website, which provides key information and valuable resources for stakeholders, learners, industry, vocational education and training providers, employers and the general public.

• the TAFE and Training Line, which provides free phone and email advice about TAFE and training courses, qualifications and training providers

• Skills and Jobs Centres, which provide free, independent professional careers advice and guidance to help Victorians make informed decisions about skills, training and career opportunities

• the annual Victorian Skills Plan, which provides a skills roadmap to meet our workforce needs over the next few years

• the Employment Projections Dashboard, which provides up-to-date information on jobs that are in-demand

• the State of the Victorian Labour Market Report, which provides in-depth analysis of labour market trends in Victoria.

• the annual student and employer satisfaction surveys, which monitor the performance and quality of our VET sector

• Industry Advisory Groups, which provide advice and insights to the Victorian Skills Authority about current and emerging workforce skills needs in Victoria’s industries such as construction, health, agriculture and manufacturing.

• the annual Victorian Training Awards, which recognise outstanding achievements in the Victorian TAFE and training sector.

For more information, visit the Victorian Skills Authority website.