Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

I am pleased to say these pilots will commence from next year. Students will have the opportunity in 2016 to start streaming through the pathways in technology program in Geelong and Ballarat. This will give the students enormous new opportunities. We are providing support through a contract the government have entered into with the Skilling Australia Foundation, who will be engaging with local communities and with the involved employers and ensuring that teachers, parents and students have the support of the curriculum that they need, that the models that IBM have developed are rolled out in a way that complements the Australian curriculum and Australian learning environments so that we are building on the best of our education system. Local advisory boards will be in place to help both of the pilots operate. I acknowledge the support of the Victorian government in that regard, as well, who are working cooperatively with us because they recognise this initiative, brought to Australia at the instigation personally of Prime Minister Abbott, will provide students in Geelong and Ballarat with the work-ready skills for the future. (Time expired)