The Andrews Labor government expressed its support to students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds undertaking training courses, which will help them integrate into the Australian reality.

Minister for Training and Skills, Steve Herbert, stressed the fact that thousands of international students also add to our culture and society while studying in Victoria.

“Victoria is the multicultural capital of Australia, therefore must continue to provide training opportunities for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds,” Steve Herbert told.

“The Andrews Labor government is supporting multiculturalism, helping all students, including those from diverse backgrounds, get the qualifications they need for the job they want.”

During Cultural Diversity Week, Mr Herbert underlined the positive elements of the students’ multicultural diversity and emphasised on Learn Local organisations’ contribution in providing essential and effective training to multicultural students.

“Learn Locals can help people return to study and gain a qualification,” Mr Herbert continued.

“They are an important pathway and we will support them as we get Victoria back to work.”

Learn Local organisations offer a range of education and training programs, providing both pre-accredited and accredited training on many different topics, including reading, writing English, maths, hospitality, retail, business and construction.

“Our thriving multicultural community groups work tirelessly to promote diversity and cohesion,” Minister for Multicultural Affairs Robin Scott explained.
Across the Victorian training system, culturally and linguistically diverse learners accounted for 11 per cent of total accredited and pre-accredited enrolments in 2013, but represented more than a quarter of enrolments at Learn Local organisations.

“Cultural Diversity Week celebrates our rich diversity and promotes a harmonious society.”

“We’re home to one of the most multicultural societies on earth – and Victorians are proud of it,” Minister Scott added, highlighting that in 2013, 36 per cent of Learn Local students across Victoria were born overseas.

The most popular pre-accredited training courses at Learn Local organisations were literacy and numeracy programs, the general education program and employment skills programs.