RDV invests in local Benalla TAFE campus

07/07/2023

Artists impression of the GO TAFE building with vibrant coloured accents on a two story building with tall windows across the front of the building

Victorians in the Northeast will soon have a new TAFE campus in central Benalla that will address skills shortages and increase access to education and training, thanks to investment from the Victorian Government.

Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing recently visited the site of the new campus at the former ANZ building on Bridge Street to view progress on the $1.6 million refurbishment backed by $950,000 from Regional Development Victoria. The remaining $650,000 is being funded by GOTAFE.

The Victorian Government also contributed $340,000 for half of the purchase price of the new site with GOTAFE funding the remaining investment.

A GOTAFE campus in Benalla’s CBD will result in better engagement with locals and the business community to deliver courses that meet industry requirements and job demands in Northeast Victoria. It will offer courses to address the skills shortages faced by regional communities, including in the nursing and mental health sectors.

The new campus will provide modern learning spaces with upgraded technology, collaborative workspaces, individual study areas and improved accessibility.

The project will also deliver outdoor seating, paving, landscaping and a ramp with handrails for the front entrance.

It will provide students and staff easier access to public transport, parking, food, and essential services, and a more visible presence on Benalla’s main street to encourage people to engage in training and education pathways.

The Victorian Government is making sure every person has access to the training they need for the job they want, with more than $545 million invested in TAFE through the Victorian Budget 2023/24.

Since 2014, the Government has invested more than $4 billion to rebuild TAFE and support universities and higher education to ensure Victorians have access to high quality education and rewarding career pathways.

GOTAFE is the largest vocational education provider in regional Victoria, offering more than 130 courses across eight campuses. It provides access to a wide range of skills, learning and education opportunities for more than 9,000 students from all walks of life and across 11 local government areas.

The project is part of the Government’s record investment of more than $41 billion across rural and regional Victoria since 2015.