More than 13,000 secondary students in Melbourne’s south east will gain free access to hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning after the Victorian Government officially opened the new Dandenong Tech School.
Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams opened the $14 million facility at Chisholm Institute’s Dandenong campus, where students from 23 secondary schools will take part in practical programs alongside their regular classroom studies.
The Tech School will give students the opportunity to work with the same technologies used across industry, including robotics, drones, virtual reality and cybersecurity. Programs have been designed around areas such as advanced manufacturing and digital technologies, with students learning through practical projects linked to future careers.
Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll said the investment was focused on equipping young Victorians for emerging industries.
“Labor is investing in the skills Victorian students need for today and tomorrow – and this Tech School delivers exactly that,” he said.
Ms Williams said the new centre would provide local students with access to high-quality learning opportunities close to home.
“Labor has delivered a world-class facility right here in Dandenong – and local students will be the ones who benefit,” she said.
Located on the Chisholm Institute campus, the Tech School is intended to expose students to tertiary education environments while introducing them to career pathways in STEM fields.
Chisholm Institute chief executive Stephen Varty said the facility would encourage more young people to consider further study and technical careers.
“This facility will help inspire young people to explore further education and careers in STEM, creating more opportunities and a brighter future for Dandenong and beyond,” he said.
The Dandenong facility is the second of six new Tech Schools being established under the Victorian Government’s $116 million expansion of the program. Four more centres, at Brimbank, Hume, Wangaratta and South West Victoria, are expected to open by the end of 2026.
The government said the expansion will increase the number of students able to access free Tech School programs across Victoria to more than 62,000. Existing Tech Schools are based on TAFE and university campuses and independent research has found participation improves student engagement with STEM subjects while increasing awareness of careers in high-demand industries.
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