Pharmacy assistants across the state will continue to get specialist training as they provide crucial services during the coronavirus pandemic, thanks to the Victorian Government.

Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney today announced more than $475,000 to train pharmacy assistants, with an emphasis on people working in isolated regional and rural pharmacies.

The money will pay for assistants to undertake nationally accredited training, to ensure their skills are up to date and help them provide the best advice to customers. This training has also been adapted to help pharmacy assistants provide an effective service during the pandemic.

With more than 90 regional communities in Victoria with only one pharmacy, the funding plays a key role in making training viable for delivery in remote locations. Research has shown that the training is demand in Gippsland, the Grampians and the Hume and Loddon-Mallee regions.

The funding is available for people undertaking the Certificate III and Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy, and the Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy Dispensary with almost 50 pharmacy assistants having already started subsidised training.

Minister Tierney made the announcement at a virtual event hosted by the Victorian branch of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, which is delivering the training.

Since 2015, the Government has committed more than $1.5 billion to rebuild our TAFE and training system and ensure students can get the skills they need for the jobs they want.