Bass Coast Shire is one of Victoria’s fastest-growing regional areas. Despite this growth, young people continue to leave the area to seek education and employment opportunities.

Our young people face significant barriers to accessing education and training with travel of up to 100 km plus each way currently required. This often forces students to relocate away from the shire, or to choose not to participate in further education.

Healthcare, construction, and education (early years) are sectors that provide significant employment in Bass Coast and that are experiencing workforce shortages. TAFE is a viable pathway to employment in these sectors, yet they are not currently supported by local TAFE offerings.

TAFE Gippsland has presented state government with a business case to deliver Vocational Education and Training that would meet the needs of Bass Coast. Council supports the proposals outlined in TAFE Gippsland’s business case and urges government to fully fund new, fit-for-purpose TAFE offerings in Bass Coast.