Victoria’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector is set to take a leading role in fostering respect, equality, and safe learning environments as part of the 2025 Respect and Equality Campaign. This initiative builds on the success of the 2024 Respect and Equality in TAFE Campaign, expanding its reach to all Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and TAFEs across the state.
Launched under the Training for Respect Project, the campaign aims to strengthen gender equality, respect, and the prevention of gender-based violence within the VET sector. The campaign will run from 17th to 28th March 2025, featuring statewide events, training opportunities, and awareness initiatives, with a major event to be held at The Wheeler Centre on 25th March 2025.
Dugald Murray, CEO, Victorian TAFE Association (VTA):
"Victoria’s TAFEs are committed to creating safe and respectful learning environments that set the foundation for students’ future workplaces. The 2025 Respect and Equality Campaign builds on the TAFE sector’s leadership in fostering inclusion and gender equality, ensuring that vocational education and training continues to drive meaningful social and economic change. We encourage all TAFEs and training providers to get involved and keep championing respect in education."
Felix Pirie, CEO, Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA):
"Independent training providers play a critical role in shaping a workforce that is not only highly skilled but also grounded in principles of respect and equality. The 2025 Respect and Equality Campaign is an opportunity for every RTO to engage meaningfully in these principles within the context of their organisations in ways that benefit students, staff, and employers alike. ITECA is proud to support this initiative and urges all training organisations to take part in this vital work."
A Call to Action for Victoria’s Vocational Education and Training Sector
The campaign calls on all Victorian TAFEs and RTOs to actively participate in shaping a culture of respect and inclusion within their institutions. There are multiple ways to get involved, including:
- Signing the Respect and Equality Pledge to demonstrate a commitment to gender equality.
- Displaying campaign materials in classrooms, staff areas, and digital platforms.
- Embedding respect and equality messages in student communications, newsletters, and websites.
- Encouraging staff and students to attend online and in-person campaign events.
- Hosting discussions and training sessions on gender equality and the prevention of workplace gendered violence, and enrolling in free eLearning modules developed specifically for the Victorian VET sector through the Training for Respect program: www.genderequityhub.com.au/course/workwell-training-for-respect.
- Engaging on social media using the campaign hashtags #RespectInEducation #SafeTAFEs #EqualityInVET.
Resources and Support for Training Providers
- All campaign materials, including posters, email banners, training resources, and event details, are available at: www.trainingforrespect.com/campaign-2025
- To register for the free Wheeler Centre Event (hybrid) on the 25th of March head to https://events.humanitix.com/retinvictorianvet
Join the Movement
The 2025 Respect and Equality Campaign is an opportunity for the VET sector to lead by example, ensuring that students, apprentices, trainees, and staff enter workplaces equipped with values of respect, safety, and inclusion.
For more information and to get involved, visit https://www.trainingforrespect.com
ENDS
Key Facts:
The 2025 Respect and Equality Campaign builds on the success of the 2024 TAFE initiative, now extending to all Victorian Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and TAFEs.
Backed by the Victorian TAFE Association (VTA) and Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), the campaign calls on training providers to champion gender equality, respect, and safe learning environments.
A flagship hybrid event will be held on 25th March 2025 at The Wheeler Centre, offering insights, training, and discussion on fostering respect in education.
Training providers can sign the Respect and Equality Pledge, access free campaign resources, and participate in events, training sessions, and social media engagement using #RespectInEducation #SafeTAFEs #EqualityInVET.
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. For more information, visit www.whise.org.au
Contact details:
- Dos Hetherington WHISE - 0412317334
- Victorian TAFE Association (VTA)- enquiries@vta.vic.edu.au
- Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) Sally Deane - 0488 094 377
