Enrolments in TAFE NSW’s fee-free COVID-19 support short courses passed 115,000 before closing last month, with medical administration proving the most popular.
The Department of Education said the suite of online courses provided an opportunity for NSW residents to gain new skills at the height of the pandemic, fully funded by the State Government.
The Department said the program attracted a total of 115,537 enrolments; 27 per cent of enrolled students were studying with TAFE NSW for the first time; between 10 and 15 per cent of first time TAFE NSW students intended to undertake further study; and the most popular course in the first tranche was the Statement of Attainment in Medical Administration Skills.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said people who enrolled in a TAFE NSW short course during the pandemic were putting their new skills to good use.
“We know how important skills training is for driving the State’s economy and it will play a crucial role coming out of the COVID pandemic,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The NSW Government’s COVID-19 fee-free short courses have delivered an opportunity to upskill during COVID-19 as well as deliver a meaningful boost to workplaces across the State,” she said.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, Geoff Lee praised TAFE NSW for its seamless delivery of the program.
“I want to congratulate TAFE NSW for the way they delivered this initiative,” Mr Lee said.
“To hit more than 115,000 enrolments in a single program in such a short time is truly a remarkable result,” he said.
