The State Training Board was created on 30 November 1987, under the provisions of the Post Secondary Education Act 1978. The State Training Board superseded the Industrial Training Commission (VA 900) and the Technical and Further Education (TAFE) Board (VA 1176).

The creation of the State Training Board meant that all types of training, including apprenticeships and technical and further education, were now the responsibility of the Education Department, rather than being split between the Department of Labour (VA 2777) and the Ministry of Education and Training (VA 1112). This was further consolidated in the Vocational Education and Training Act 1990 (No. 45/1990), which repealed the previous Industrial Training Act (1975) and formally abolished the TAFE Board and Industrial Training Commission.

The Board was made up of 12 members, representing business and industry employers, trade unions, training providers and community interests. Its main functions were to co-ordinate and administer the Government's training policies and administer the technical and vocational training services provided by the state and public authorities. It was also responsible for the administration of the State Training System, which included:
* 33 TAFE Colleges
* Apprenticeship and training systems
* Industry training network and skills centres located either in TAFE colleges or in private industries, and
* Five private hairdressing colleges

The office of the State Training Board existed as an Associated Administrative Unit within the Ministry of Education, under the Public Service Act. The Board was under the direct control of the Minister for Post Secondary Education through the General Manager of the State Training Board.

Abolition
In 2000, the Government commissioned a review of post-compulsory education in Victoria. Following the release of the report of the Review of Post Compulsory Education and Training Pathways, the Government accepted the recommendations of the report and restructured the boards responsible for post compulsory education and training. In December 2000, the Victorian Qualifications Authority Act 2000 was passed, which amended to Vocational Education and Training Act 1990. This amendment abolished the State Training Board and transferred its functions to the newly-created Victorian Learning and Employment Skills Commission (VLESC) and the Victorian Qualifications Authority (VQA). VLSEC was responsible for advising the Minister about post-compulsory education, training and employment, and to monitor outcomes. The VQA took over the State Training Board's accreditation and certification functions.

Research note:
There appears to be confusion about when the State Training Board was actually abolished. The Victorian Qualifications Authority Act 2000, which amended the Vocational Education and Training Act 1990 to establish VLSEC and the VQA, retained some mentions to the State Training Board in Part II of the Act. At the same time, the former State Training Board was clearly abolished. These references to the State Training Board were not removed until 2002.

Location of Records

See below for inventory of series. See List of Holdings 1985, section 3.9.5 and the Inventory of Series in this guide for VA 899 and VA 900 for records of its previous agencies.