The Allan Labor Government is building the pipeline of skilled workers Victoria needs, with more than 40,000 Victorians gaining a Trade Paper showing they are qualified and job-ready to build our growing state.

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and Member for Eureka Michaela Settle today visited Federation University’s SMB Campus in Ballarat to celebrate the milestone and congratulate some of apprentices or are on their way to receiving their Trade Paper.

A Trade Paper is a certificate awarded to those who successfully complete a recognised apprenticeship in Victoria, along with relevant formal training through a TAFE, trade school or registered training organisation.

The previous Liberal Government scrapped Trade Papers as part of their savage cuts to TAFE and training, making it harder for apprentices to get a job.

Peter Dutton confirmed that, given the chance, the Liberal Party would cut Free TAFE. Brad Battin and the Liberal Party cannot be trusted with TAFE and cannot be trusted to back the tradies who build the new houses, hospitals, roads and rail that Victorians need.

Since 2019, Labor has backed more than 40,000 workers to receive their trade papers – enough to fill Federation Square four times over. Trade papers are issued for 121 different qualifications, with carpenters, electricians and plumbers topping the list and making up almost half of all tradies who have received their papers.

Free TAFE has been a gamechanger for Victorians, with more than 206,000 students saving on average $3,000 per course – including 53,000 in regional Victoria – getting the skills they need for good, stable jobs or get back into the workforce while putting money back in their pocket.

Skilled workers are in high demand in regional Victoria, thanks to the state’s pipeline of housing and transport projects and our transition to clean energy – creating thousands more jobs for skilled tradespeople.

According to latest figures from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research, almost 95 per cent of people who completed training for a trade occupation in 2024 were employed after qualifying.

For more information about Trade Papers, visit vrqa.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney

“We are building a strong pipeline of skilled workers in Victoria to deliver the houses, hospitals, schools, road and rail that Victorians need.”

“Unlike the Liberal Party, we will always stand up for tradies and their families – we’ve made it easier for them to find a good, stable job with trades papers and Free TAFE, and Victoria now has 40,000 more workers at the ready.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“At Federation University in Ballarat, we’re training the next generation of skilled tradies – supporting them to graduate with the qualifications they need for the jobs they want.