A re-elected majority Liberal Government will turbo-charge Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Tasmania by expanding the highly successful YouthBuild program statewide across all secondary schools.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said that YouthBuild will help build our trades workforce of the future, get more students into apprenticeships and jobs, and help to deliver a strong pipeline of work generated by our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.

"Our young Tasmanians deserve to be given real opportunities to pursue careers in our high demand industries," Premier Rockliff said.

“A re-elected majority Liberal Government will partner with Housing Industry Association (HIA) and expand our YouthBuild Program to all secondary schools.

“That means taking it from just 20 schools to all 55, delivering vocational learning to 3000 students over the next four years.

“This turbo-charged YouthBuild will give year 9 and 10 students a head-start in construction and architecture leading to careers in surveying, engineering, plumbing, carpentry, painting and plastering – just to name a few.

“YouthBuild students have the opportunity to deliver real construction projects on school sites, providing them with hands on practical experience – preparing them for a school-based apprenticeship and career.”

Minister for Education, Roger Jaensch, said that turbo-charging YouthBuild is the next critical step in our Strong Plan to deliver the workforce of the future.

“Right now, 20 per cent of secondary school students currently study VET in our schools, but we want to see this increase to 50 per cent by 2030,” Minister Jaensch said.

“We’ll do this by establishing a $30 million VET Facilities Fund to deliver modern, fit-for-purpose VET facilities and industry standard equipment in our secondary schools, colleges and Trade Training Centres so that our students can develop the specialist skills they need for a rewarding career.

“We will also partner with peak industry bodies, to design packages of vocational learning that prepare year 9 and 10 students for apprenticeships and careers in high demand industries, including early education and care services, tourism and hospitality, health and community services, agriculture, and manufacturing.

"By giving young Tasmanians the tools, skills and expertise that they need, we are securing the builders, tradies, and industry leaders that will keep Tasmania moving forward."

Under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future, a re-elected majority Liberal Government will:

• Boost our YouthBuild Program preparing students for an apprenticeship, with an investment of $800,000;
• Provide $2.5 million to deliver vocational learning to Year 9 and 10 students in all secondary schools, in partnership with industry bodies;
• Establish a $30 million VET Facilities Fund to deliver new and upgraded VET facilities and industry standard equipment at Colleges, Secondary Schools and Trade Training Centres;
• Invest $750,000 to grow our specialist VET workforce in schools; and
• Provide $1.2 million per annum over two years to the Beacon Foundation to continue their Work-Based Learning Services Program in 50 secondary schools.

Cost: $36.45 million over 4 years