The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training is encouraging school-leavers looking to upskill for a career to enrol in one of the 37,000 Fee-Free TAFE places available in 2023.
Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor said skill shortages were gripping the nation, and those running through Queensland reflected the specific characteristics of the State’s labour market.
These included health and community services, agriculture, tourism and hospitality.
“It is vital that we support people locally to obtain the skills they need to fill job vacancies,” Mr O’Connor said.
State Minister for Training and Skills Development, Di Farmer said Fee-Free TAFE was a great opportunity for recent graduates to create a pathway to their dream career.
“Fee-Free TAFE training in 2023 will be a wonderful stepping stone to an ideal career for recent school leavers, especially if they’re currently undecided about what they’d like to do,” Ms Farmer said.
She said 84 per cent of TAFE Queensland graduates went on into employment or further study.
“We want young Queenslanders seizing good job opportunities and enjoying our State’s great lifestyle, which means training now for the jobs of the future,” the Minister said.
“On our front-line, we need more nurses supporting better health outcomes right around the State, which is why we’re offering the Diploma of Nursing to eligible cohorts — First Nations Australians, people with disability and people from diverse backgrounds.”
Chief Executive of TAFE Queensland, Mary Campbell said the most popular Fee-Free TAFE qualifications people were currently enrolling in included the Diploma of Business, Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and Diploma of Community Services.
Ms Farmer said that as more people trained in the available courses, it would assist those sectors to fill their jobs gaps, and address workforce shortages.
“At a time when our employers need more skilled workers, I urge all Queenslanders to learn about these free courses and change their lives by training for a career they are passionate about,” Ms Farmer said.
Information relating to courses available and how to enrol in them can be accessed at this PS News link.
