Minister backs inclusive training at The Gordon

2025-05-23

Minister backs inclusive training at The Gordon

This morning, Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney announced $150K for us to pilot a disability awareness initiative in automotive to improve training for people with a disability, making the training more inclusive and accessible.  

The funding is part of $540,000 in grants that support TAFEs and other institutions to collaborate with industry to address training challenges— part of the Victorian Skills Authority’s Local Skills Partnerships.

This new project, funded through the Local Skills Partnerships Program, is a pilot that supports disability inclusion in the automotive apprenticeship pathway. It provides targeted support to students with disability, as well as the teachers and employers who work with them.

The need is clear — while many students identify as having a disability, only a small percentage currently access support services. Employers and teachers have also told us they want more tools and confidence to provide inclusive training and workplaces.

Image of Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney announced $150K to pilot a disability awareness initiative.

For students, the program focuses on self-advocacy, tailored learning plans and work-readiness. For teachers, it offers inclusive teaching resources and professional development. And for employers, it delivers training and tools to build inclusive and supportive workplaces.

The program will be co-delivered by the Centre of Excellence in Disability Inclusion, with accessible digital resources designed to ensure long-term impact. It’s an important step in making sure all students can thrive in trades training and contribute to a stronger, more inclusive workforce.

Our Chief Executive Officer, Joe Ormeno said: “The automotive pilot is a powerful example of what inclusive education looks like in action. By investing in tools for teachers, support for employers, and confidence-building for students, we’re backing a future where every apprentice can thrive — and where disability inclusion is embedded in core training from the start."

Matthew Wright, Chair of the Disability Advisory Committee and Board member of The Gordon, today spoke of his own experiences. Matthew introduced himself as a deaf person and said he was using technology to participate in the event today. 

“The most important factor in us having a career and building a life was education,” he said.

An inclusive education is what makes the difference between a life as part of the community or a life on what Inclusion Australia call the polished pathway.

The new automotive program announced today complements the work being done by The Gordon’s Centre of Excellence in Disability Inclusion. The Centre’s recently revealed Vision is to partner with community and industry to deliver inclusive education through innovation, policy advancement, knowledge sharing and capability building, ensuring that TAFE is accessible and enriching to all.

The $36 million funded Centre of Excellence in Disability Inclusion will drive improved access, inclusion, and employment outcomes for students with disability across Victoria’s TAFE network. The Centre is expected to open in mid-2027 at The Gordon’s City campus.

Image of the pilot a disability awareness initiative launch.
Image of the pilot a disability awareness initiative launch.
Image of the pilot a disability awareness initiative launch.

Find out more about The Gordon’s Centre of Excellence in Disability inclusion.