Wodonga TAFE skills and job centre to open soon

The Wodonga TAFE skills and job centre will be set up in the existing TAFEspace building near The Cube.

Wodonga TAFE chief executive officer Mark Dixon hoped it would be ready on November 17, the day of TAFE’s training awards.

"We're pushing really hard to open this year," he said.

Member for Northern Victorian Jaclyn Symes announced the $1 million funding during a Wodonga visit that included the opening of the Albury Wodonga Health Parents and Babies Service on Benson Street.

Ms Symes described the new skills and job centre as a “one-stop shop” for potential students as well as business.

“It's about getting everyone together so that employers and industry can identify what they need now and going into the future and can work with the TAFE about what courses are going to produce the workers that they might need," she said.

Mr Dixon welcomed the funding and said the location would be accessible for business, industry and students.

"It's not a short-term measure, this is a long-term investment in the city centre,” he said.

Ms Symes, herself a mother of young children, said the Parents and Babies Service was essential for new parents as struggles started to build.

“Five nights in a row of your kid not sleeping and you're beside yourself, you really need help," she said.

The new facility, built with a $736,000 Victorian rural capital support fund grant, sees 225 parents and their babies each month.

A recent arrangement with early parenting organisation Tresillian will expand its programs to include home visits.

East Albury mother Jen Fankhauser said the service assisted when she was breastfeeding and settling her son Angus, now 2.

“You just second guess yourself all the time, especially because you're tired," she said.

Mrs Fankhauser, who is 15 weeks’ pregnant, praised the new building and its staff.

“I know they're here for next time, if I need them," she said.