In a bid to strengthen professional insurance education in Australia, the government has announced it will contribute $1 million toward the establishment of an injury and insurance professional development centre in Geelong, Victoria.
The centre will provide training for over 1000 students a year and will be based at Deakin University’s Waterfront campus in the city and will be run in conjunction with The Gordon Institute.
Member for Corangamite, Sarah Henderson MP, said of the proposed development: “This centre of excellence will help put Geelong on the map as a global leader in the insurance field, building on the work done by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), which are both located in Geelong.
“This is a welcome initiative by the Victorian Government and I’m pleased that the Commonwealth has been able to contribute to the establishment of the Centre in our region.”
Senator Mitch Fifield added: “The disability and insurance sectors are growth areas in our economy that will bring many new employment opportunities across the country.”
The announcement of Commonwealth funding comes in the wake of an announced $7 million funding boost by the State of Victoria, previously announced by Premier Dennis Napthine.
Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University, Professor Jane den Hollander, said the new centre will help create jobs in the insurance industry across the country.
“The centre will incorporate two state-of-the-art teaching and learning spaces and an industry recruitment centre with consultation and display rooms.
“Together with The Gordon and our Network partners, Deakin University is embracing the opportunity to create a recruitment and professional development centre that will help those affected by economic change access pathways to employment and reskilling programs.
