Chisholm host skills Member Briefing

CFMP Members gathered at Chisholm Institute Frankston to hear from Paul Edbrooke MP, Lee-Anne Fisher - the Deputy CEO of Victorian Skills Authority, and Chisholm's Conor Mullan to learn more about the demand for skills and training in our region.

CEO Josh Sinclair, opened the event with some remarks about the current and future demand for skills on the Mornington Peninsula. This includes preparing for what will be required around the potential of the establishment of the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal (VRET) at Hastings:

A transition to renewable energy is currently underway in Australia, and the Gippsland offshore wind zone is leading the pack as the most advanced offshore wind project in the country. To develop this industry and to see it thrive, we need a workforce capable of delivering projects which have never before been delivered in Australia. Quite the challenge – but one the country, state and our region is ready to tackle head on.

The Port of Hastings has been identified as the preferred location for the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal where the assembly of offshore wind components will take place. This presents a valuable opportunity for our region to play a significant role in the transition to renewable energy and the development of large scale offshore wind projects.

Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula will need to play a supporting and enabling role for this industry at Hastings – and it will only be able to do so with the right workforce, the right skills, and the right training coming through over the next few decades.

The Member for Frankston, Paul Edbrooke, spoke about the Victorian Government's investment into TAFE and Chisholm's Frankston Campus since 2014, and the difference that is making in industries where skill shortages are a challenge. The investment from the Victorian Government over the past decade has included significant building upgrades and an expansion of what Chisholm has been able to offer and provide students. When government delivers in tertiary education, it means more locals gaining the skills required to fill local jobs - in construction, health and aged care, hospitality, and technology. 

Members then heard from Lee-Anne Fisher, the Deputy CEO of the Victorian Skills Authority. Lee-Anne presented data relevant to our region and where the demand for skills is going to come from over the next few years. The presentation given by Lee-Anne can be found here.

Across the state, health care and social assistance will continue to lead Victoria's workforce - and it will continue to grow. It is followed closely by construction and professional services. 

In our region, it means 49,700 new workers will enter the workforce between 2024 and 2027.

• 12,260 of these will be in construction
• 10,550 will be in healthcare and social assistance
• 4,100 in manufacturing

Following these briefings, Chisholm's Conor Mullan provided members with a private campus tour and explanation on some of the courses currently being offered by Chisholm Institute. 

Thank you to Chisholm for hosting this really valuable event for our members, and thank you to both Paul Edbrooke MP  and Lee-Anne Fisher from the Victorian Skills Authority for their significant contributions.