New nursing labs have opened at The Gordon's Geelong City Campus, giving 416 Diploma of Nursing students hands-on clinical training in simulated hospital wards. The Gordon chief executive Joe Ormeno said the facilities include assistive technology for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, wheelchair access, adjustable furniture and low-stimulation spaces. Deputy premier Gabrielle Williams said the labs are the first stage of The Gordon's TAFE Centre of Excellence in Disability Inclusion. Work on the remaining stages is underway, with the centre due for completion next year.
Two mobile training units will bring practical courses to First Nations learners in Gippsland and north-west Victoria. A $2.46 million federal investment is funding the project, which is expected to support 600 learners each year. The units will be fitted with training simulators, computers and off-grid power, and are expected to be operational by 2028. They will travel to at least 17 regional and remote communities, offering courses in energy, construction, agriculture and land management. Federal Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles said the units would help build local workforces without learners needing to travel to city centres.
University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Bill Shorten is asking organisations and prominent community figures to back his proposal to merge the university with the Canberra Institute of Technology. He has sent them cover letters and an information kit to help them make submissions to a Legislative Assembly inquiry into CIT's governance. Submissions close at the end of October. Chief Minister Andrew Barr has already voiced support for the merger push. Mr Shorten argues that a merged institution could offer cheaper, more competitive courses and remove duplication.
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Students at Jerrabomberra High, in southern NSW, now have new hands-on learning facilities after a major expansion was completed ahead of schedule. The upgrade adds a two-storey building with 16 classrooms, a semi-commercial kitchen, a VET kitchen, a science laboratory and workshops. The school's capacity has risen to 1000 students. The expansion was an election commitment from NSW Labor, which had pledged to deliver it by 2026. Member for Monaro Steve Whan said the project had been delivered ahead of schedule.
Zak Resuggan has returned from the WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai, where he cooked for Australia and finished 14th. Resuggan served his apprenticeship at Daylesford's Bistro Terroir. Australia sent its largest-ever WorldSkills delegation, with 37 Skillaroos competing and 34 experts supporting their training and preparation. The event ran from September 22 to 27 and drew more than 1400 competitors from over 70 countries and regions across 64 skill areas. WorldSkills, the world championships for young tradespeople, offers apprentices, trainees and students a chance to test their skills against the best young talent globally.
The 2026 NPA Ladies Gala has raised more than $9800 for students at the Northern Peninsula Area State College. The 13th annual event, hosted by Cape York Camping Punsand Bay, drew more than 65 women for a night of dancing, entertainment and fundraising on the beach. The proceeds will support Year 11 and 12 vocational pathways. School principal Andrea Killen said the money could fund vocational program resources and student excursions, although the final spending plans are still being considered. Cape York Camping Punsand Bay manager Kahlia Colquhoun said the support was important in the remote region.
Labor's Bass MP, Jordan Crugnale, has called for a TAFE in Bass instead of the technical college promised by Opposition Leader Jess Wilson. Crugnale said local groups have long pushed for a Wonthaggi TAFE, and a business case has been completed, but she said funding was never secured. Labor's Bass candidate, Chris Buckingham, said the Liberals' plan lacked detail and criticised their record on TAFE. The Liberals say their $222 million plan would deliver 10 colleges over eight years. Victorians vote on November 28.
Year 12 students in the New England region begin their Higher School Certificate exams. Bundarra Central School has shared tips for students, including checking timetables, arriving early, and bringing approved equipment. Armidale Catholic Schools and CUC North West have wished students well. NSW Education Standards Authority figures show 74,542 students are completing their HSC this year, with a 20% rise in vocational education and training enrolments since 2020.
The Liberals have pledged a technical college for Bass that would let teenagers start hands-on trade training from Year 10. Opposition Leader Jess Wilson made the announcement in Wonthaggi and said Bass would receive one of 10 colleges if the coalition wins office at the November 28 election. The $222 million plan would open five colleges in its first term, each taking about 500 students from Years 10 to 12. The Housing Industry Association has backed the proposal, saying Victoria needs a larger skilled workforce.
Eltham apprentice technician Jaeden Matteo D'Aloia has been named the Overall Australian Winner in the 2026 Capricorn Rising Stars Awards. He won the Victoria/Tasmania regional title before taking the national prize. The 20-year-old is completing a Certificate III in Light Vehicle Technology at Box Hill TAFE while working at European vehicle specialist Technique Automotive. Technique Automotive owner Alex Hicks said he had exceeded expectations from the day he joined. Capricorn Group chief executive Brad Gannon said he was a deserving national winner.
Students at Wadja Wadja High School in Woorabinda, Queensland, are running a cafe and hair salon as part of vocational training. The facilities aim to fill gaps in local services and boost employment skills for the 1,000 residents. Principal Cherie Blinco says attendance has risen since the program began, with 110 students now enrolled. The initiative was introduced after retired principal Hector Costello identified the need for more practical education options.
Kingston State College has opened a commercial hair and beauty salon on campus, offering students vocational training and job opportunities. The salon, named Kubill on Kingston, operates on Tuesdays and Fridays, providing hair and makeup services. The program aims to keep students engaged in education while teaching them life skills applicable to various industries. The school's vocational education head says the program also supports student wellbeing and provides points towards their senior certificate.
