Deakin and Gordon partnership creates more opportunities for students in Melbourne’s west

More students from Melbourne's west will have access to quality higher education opportunities thanks to a new partnership between Deakin University and The Gordon Institute of TAFE.

Deakin Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander today officially opened the Werribee Learning Centre alongside The Gordon's CEO Lisa Line.

Professor den Hollander said the Centre, located in Bridge St, Werribee, had this trimester begun its first classes in certificate, diploma and bachelor level courses in Commerce and Early Childhood Education, as well as an associate degree in Arts, Business and Science, along with construction-related courses.

Professor den Hollander said the Centre would offer a combination of classroom-based learning and online tutorials, as part of the university's commitment to widen access to education using opportunities of the digital age.

"The Werribee Learning Centre is part of Deakin's commitment to make education more accessible for all students in their own communities, including school-leavers, those who are returning to study and those who are currently working and want to further their study," she said.

"The south-west of Melbourne is increasing its demand for higher education with a 30 per cent increase in students enrolling in university over the last two years and an anticipated population growth of 6.2 per cent per annum.

"It is our aim to provide pathways from school through TAFE and on to university and this Centre will help build the jobs of the future in Melbourne's west.

"Since we began 40 years ago as Australia's first regional university, we have worked closely with The Gordon to widen access to higher education, ensuring students have access to the right pathway for them to develop good careers and make a difference to their own communities.

"The Werribee Learning Centre is an innovative partnership which leverages off the strong ongoing relationship between Deakin and The Gordon, and it is testament to our commitment to our partnership that we have expanded into Melbourne's west with this new Learning Centre.

"We know people tend to stay and work in the region where they study, so it is imperative that we provide good pathways to a career outside of inner Melbourne and this is something we have been committed to since our beginnings."

CEO of The Gordon Lisa Line said access to education was a significant driver of regional economic development and improving the pathways between school, Vocational Education and Training (VET) and higher education played a core role in redressing disadvantage and meeting industry needs in the western suburbs.

"The Wyndham region is forecast to continue to be a major contributor to Victoria's growth over the next 30 years. We recognise that vocational education and training aligned with community needs is essential to support sustainable growth," Ms Line said.

The Centre will complement other Wyndham initiatives including The Gordon's role as the training partner for the new Wyndham Trade Training Centre.

The Werribee Learning Centre is the newest in a strong network of learning centres Deakin has established across regional Victoria and will also include a shop front presence close to public transport, premium, connected conference and meeting facilities, advanced teleworking infrastructure, wireless Deakin Connect rooms and a connected staff drop-in point.

Courses Deakin will deliver from the Werribee Learning Centre:

• Bachelor of Commerce
• Associate Degree of Arts, Business and Sciences
• Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

Courses The Gordon will deliver from the Werribee Learning Centre:

• Diploma of Children's Services (Early childhood Education and Care)
• Certificate III in Children's Services
• Certificate IV in Work Health Safety WH&S
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
• Certificate IV in Construction (Building)
• Certificate IV in Plumbing skillsets
• Construction Induction (White Card)
• Testing & Tagging
• Introduction to MYOB