TAFE providers have already shown interest in reopening a closed campus on the edge of Melbourne, new Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says.
He visited Swinburne TAFE's closed Lilydale campus to announce it would reopen with a $10 million refurbishment.
"Privately there's been already some very strong expressions of interest (and) willingness to sit down and talk with the incoming government," Mr Andrews told reporters.
"I'm very confident we will not only reopen these buildings, but also make sure this is bigger and better than it ever was."
The Lilydale commitment is part of a $320 million injection into the TAFE sector, which had campus closures after funding cuts in 2012.
Mr Andrews said Victoria had the worst unemployment rate among the mainland states and needed to give people skills to get work.
He did not expect the government would need to kick in money to the successful provider.
"I don't know that a subsidy will be needed. This community is an attractive market," he said.
Swinburne closed the campus in 2013 after the state government cut public funding, but did not reopen it when funding was increased again.
Mr Andrews said the government was looking at options for another closed campus in Greensborough, which Labor also promised to refurbish and reopen.
He said the Labor caucus would meet on Wednesday to decide the new cabinet, and ministers would be sworn in on Thursday.
With more job cuts potentially flagged at car manufactures, Mr Andrews said he was in contact with major employers.
"Every job is worth fighting for and my office is in the process of bookings calls with GM, Holden and Toyota and a whole range of other employers," he said.
Mr Andrews asked employers not to make job cuts before Christmas if it could be avoided.
Share
