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Federation University welcomes the new Minister for Skills and Training

10 August 2026
The appointment of the Deputy Premier, the Hon. Gabrielle Williams MP, as Minister for Education and Minister for Skills and Training recognises of the importance of an end-to-end pathway in a modern education and skills system.

The appointment of the Deputy Premier, the Hon. Gabrielle Williams MP, as Minister for Education and Minister for Skills and Training recognises of the importance of an end-to-end pathway in a modern education and skills system.

The Deputy Premier's portfolios, experience and community priorities of jobs growth and education pathways align strongly with Federation's work. This includes our delivery of dual-sector education, our Co-operative Education Model connecting students and employers, STEM and vocational education for secondary school students, our focus on gender equity, and sector leadership in equitable access to education, first-in-family students, and embedding First Nations culture and knowledge in our course delivery.

In addition to this, the Deputy Premier's electorate of Dandenong is served by our growing Berwick Campus. The Deputy Premier brings a deep understanding of the culturally and socially diverse community we support in one of Victoria's fastest-growing regions.

Congratulations also to the Premier of Victoria, the Hon. Ben Carroll MP, the Treasurer of Victoria, the Hon. Colin Brooks MP, and the Minister for Rural and Regional Development, the Hon. Michaela Settle MP, on their appointments.

Federation looks forward to working with the Premier, the Deputy Premier, Ministers, and our government representatives the Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison MP, and the Member for Ripon, Martha Haylett MP — along with all our elected representatives from various parties — on regional and rural post-secondary education priorities in the lead-up to the November 2026 State election.

The University also acknowledges the support of the former Minister for Energy and Resources, the Hon. Lily D'Ambrosio MP, Member for Mill Park. We welcome the appointment of the new Minister for Energy and Resources, the Hon. Jaclyn Symes MLC, for our work in meeting the workforce needs of the emerging clean energy sector across the Wimmera, Central Highlands and Gippsland regions.

Successive Victorian Government ministers have supported a range of initiatives at Federation, including the Emerging Technologies Hub at SMB Campus, upgrades commencing at our Federation TAFE facilities in Ballarat, our Wellness Centre and allied health facilities at Gippsland Campus, the new engineering workshop in the Wimmera, new nursing and science laboratories at Berwick, and the Asia Pacific Renewable Energy Training Centre (APRETC) at Ballarat and Gippsland.