- Published:
- Thursday 14 February 2019
Students and job seekers from the Latrobe Valley are getting into training through the Andrews Government’s Free TAFE program, with more than 1000 students already enrolled in Free TAFE courses at Federation Training.
This is four times the number of students undertaking those courses compared to the same time last year.
Minster for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney today visited the institute, where more Free TAFE enrolments are expected at Federation Training and TAFEs across the state thanks to the $172 million program that is making 30 priority TAFE courses and 20 pre-apprenticeship courses tuition fee free from this year.
Thousands of Free TAFE students have already started their training at TAFEs across Victoria. February data is still being collated, but in January, there was close to three times the number of students who commenced training in the same courses when compared to January last year – with more than a third in regional Victoria.
Federation Training is offering 29 Free TAFE courses across its campuses including the Diploma of Nursing and courses in hospitality, cookery, individual support and health assistance.
All of these courses will produce skilled workers in sectors where we know demand is high. For example, 16 per cent of the local workforce is in health care and social assistance and almost 10 per cent are in food and hospitality.
Free TAFE for Priority Courses reduces the financial barrier for eligible students wanting to train in the courses that lead to the jobs that are most in demand from Victorian employers.
Students can save up to $2,500 for some pre-apprenticeship courses and up to $5,000 for Certificate IV courses. For high cost courses such as a Diploma in Nursing or a Diploma in Building and Construction, students will save more than $10,000 through the Free TAFE initiative.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney
“Free TAFE will make it easier for students to get the training they need to get jobs across a range of industries that are crying out for more skilled workers.”
“Federation Training has more than four times the number of students they had at the same time last year which proves that this initiative is working.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“We are continuing our record funding for TAFE courses and capital upgrades and the hard work is paying off, with Free TAFE now filling campuses across the state as students begin courses that lead directly to jobs all over the state.”