Wednesday, 27th January

Hundreds of students in Gippsland are now able to get the training and skills they need for a rewarding career across a variety of sectors, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing today visited TAFE Gippsland to encourage people to enrol in one of 40 Free TAFE courses on offer at the Traralgon campus.

She said many of the courses had already proven popular, with enrolments in the Certificate III/Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care up by 300% since it was included in the Free TAFE for Priority scheme in January 2019.

This year TAFE Gippsland is also launching two new courses including the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment which will give students the skills they need to oversee VET students in a workplace, TAFE or other adult education setting – a vital role as thousands more Victorians train for the jobs that will support the state’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Certificate II in Security Operations is the gateway to a variety of roles, from door security at pubs and night clubs to guarding airports and key infrastructure like hospitals and power plants.

The Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative began in 2019 and helps reduce the financial barrier for eligible students wanting to train in the courses that directly lead to the jobs that are most in demand from Victorian employers.

More than 39,700 students took part in the program in its first year which was 88 per cent higher than the commencements in the same courses at the end of 2018.

There are now even more Free TAFE courses available to students who can choose from more than 50 priority courses and pre-apprenticeship courses including the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work, the Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, and the Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations.

For the full list of Free TAFE courses, visit: www.freetafe.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing:

“TAFE Gippsland and other training centres across the state will continue offering Victorians the skills and knowledge they need to pursue a rewarding job.”

“The Free TAFE initiative removes the financial barrier for eligible students – giving them a pathway to jobs that will support the state’s response to and recovery from the corona