Victoria’s TAFEs are partnering with care economy providers and community organisations to drive innovation, improve training and address workforce shortages through world-class applied research.
Holmesglen Institute’s $2 million Applied Research and Innovation (ARI) Project, funded by the Victorian Government, has announced four TAFEs will receive research grants.
Bendigo Kangan Institute, Chisholm Institute, Holmesglen Institute and Melbourne Polytechnic have been awarded applied research project grants.
The TAFEs will undertake collaborative applied research projects to develop evidence-based, practical solutions that address real-world opportunities and challenges in the care economy.
One of Victoria’s fastest growing sectors, the care economy includes aged care and disability support, early childhood education and care, hospital services, allied health, social housing, youth justice and victim support services.
Bendigo Kangan Institute will develop and trial a tool to recognise and formalise the skills of experienced care workers in aged care and disability. Addressing gaps between a worker’s on-the-job expertise and formal qualifications will help to make training more efficient and increase the number of qualified, skilled care workers.
Chisholm Institute will develop new training workshops for the allied health care industry in the Gippsland region, helping to better prepare trainees for the demands of the workplace, improve their problem-solving skills and bridge the gap between professional training and real-world scenarios.
Chisholm Institute will also partner with NAS Recovery Centre on Alcohol and Other Drug recovery to evaluate the Path2Home program, creating an evaluation toolkit and a new micro-credential that will embed culturally responsive care into VET curricula.
Holmesglen Institute aims to revise the workforce model to expand the role of Enrolled Nurses at St. Vincent’s Private Hospital. Empowering Enrolled Nurses to use their full range of skills will reduce pressure on Registered Nurses, improve patient outcomes and contribute to a more sustainable nursing workforce.
Melbourne Polytechnic will deliver immersive VR modules for Early Childhood Education training, strengthening student capability to de-escalate conflict using Generative AI-driven responses, providing authentic practice in a safe environment.
Applied research can be embedded into vocational education and training across Victoria to support the evolving needs of the care workforce. The number of workers in the healthcare and social assistance industry is anticipated to grow by more than 41 per cent in the next 10 years.
All grants are determined by an independent advisory committee comprising metropolitan and rural TAFEs, care economy industry partner representatives, Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery, and Victorian Skills Authority. Ethical approval and research compliance is subject to third party approval. Holmesglen Institute facilitates as a non-voting Chair only and provides project administration.
To discover more about the ARI poject, visit our Applied Research and Innovation Project page.
“TAFEs are giving people the skills they need to build high quality jobs in care and support.”
"We're providing free opportunities for Victorians to find high-quality jobs in care and support, including through our brand new $20 million Home and Community Care Centre of Excellence"
“We are proud to lead the Care Economy Applied Research and Innovation Project across the TAFE network. This initiative is an exciting step in building applied research capability within our sector, creating meaningful partnerships between TAFE researchers and care economy and community organisations. By fostering these collaborations, we are elevating TAFE’s vital role in Victoria’s research and innovation ecosystem.”
“This grant enables Bendigo Kangan Institute to build a research culture and evaluate an innovative tool for smarter care worker pathways - one that values their experience and helps them grow. It also reinforces our leadership in leading collaborative efforts with industry to create practical skills solutions for the health and care sectors.”
“This funding is a major boost for skills and training research in Victoria. We’re leading the way in innovative, inquiry-based learning by partnering with industry, giving students the confidence and capability to succeed in allied health careers. By investing in modern teaching strategies and up-to-date skills, we’re empowering educators to deliver world-class training and preparing students to be job-ready, building a stronger workforce for Victoria's future."
“Melbourne Polytechnic is proud to lead this innovative initiative, which will strengthen the confidence and capability of early childhood educators. This investment will deliver immersive, real‑world training that improves outcomes for learners and builds a more skilled, resilient care sector and workforce.”
