Women’s Health in the South East
New Reports Boost Safer Vocational Training Spaces
The Training for Respect Project, supported by the WorkWell Respect Fund, today announced the release of two pivotal reports aimed at addressing workplace gendered violence within Vocational Education and Training (VET) learning environments. These comprehensive documents provide crucial insights and a strategic framework for fostering safer and more equitable training organisations across Australia.
The two key publications are:
The release of these reports comes at a critical juncture for Vocational Education and Skills Policy in Victoria and nationally. They directly address a fundamental factor in creating safe and respectful training environments, which is essential for establishing gender-equitable learning pathways within VET. Furthermore, the reports offer practical guidance to Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and TAFEs on how to align with evolving regulations and expectations regarding safe workplaces and training environments for both students and staff.
This initiative is particularly timely as national discussions continue on harmonising Australia’s education sectors. While the Higher Education sector benefits from a National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence, a direct translation and equivalent framework for VET settings has been a recognised gap. These new reports contribute significantly to filling that void, providing a much-needed resource for the VET sector.
Quotes:
Kit McMahon, CEO, Women’s Health in the South East: “These reports, particularly the ‘Understanding Violence in Victorian Registered Training Organisations’ and the ‘Theory of Change and Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Framework’, not only define the critical challenge of gendered violence in VET but also offer clear, actionable solutions. This is a significant and essential contribution to the national discussion around gender equality and safety within our educational institutions.”
Dugald Murray, CEO, Victorian TAFE Association: “The Victorian TAFE Association and the Victorian TAFE Network are committed to creating safe, respectful, and inclusive learning and working environments across all Victorian TAFEs. These reports deepen our understanding of the scale and nature of this challenge, while also providing a clear roadmap for meaningful change. We stand ready to continue partnering with the Government, the broader sector, and organisations like WHISE, to implement these vital reforms.”
Felix Pirie, CEO, Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA): “Independent registered training providers are deeply committed to delivering safe and respectful learning environments, and the two Training for Respect reports released today offer practical insights and tools to help achieve that. By seeking to address challenges associated with gendered violence in skills training, these reports support a more consistent approach to safety and quality across all education and training settings and are an important contribution to strengthening trust in vocational education.”
About the Training for Respect Project: The Training for Respect Project is dedicated to addressing gendered violence in VET learning environments, promoting safe, respectful, and equitable educational experiences for all. The project is proudly supported by the WorkWell Respect Fund.
About us:
WHISE is a leading health promotion and primary prevention organisation dedicated to improving women’s health and wellbeing in the Southern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne. WHISE forms part of a network of Women’s Health Services across Victoria. Working in partnership with various stakeholders, WHISE advocates for gender equity, conducts research, delivers health promotion initiatives, and provides capacity-sharing support to enhance the delivery of women’s health services.