Hundreds of people in the Wodonga region have enrolled in priority TAFE courses that lead to career opportunities.
Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney recently revealed that more than 470 students had already begun working towards Free TAFE qualifications at Wodonga TAFE, a 58% increase in enrolments in these priority courses compared to the same time last year.
Minister Tierney opened a newly refurbished engineering workshop at Wodonga TAFE funded with more than $415,000 from the Labor Government’s Regional and Specialist Training Fund (RSTF), which also delivers the Certificate III in Engineering Mechanical Trade.
Students enrolled in Certificate II in Kitchen Operations and those enrolled in the Free TAFE Certificate III in Hospitality served morning tea, produced in a food van fitted out with a commercial kitchen.
The Labor Government provided more than $540,000 for the food van and the Certificate II in Kitchen Operations through the RSTF.
The RSTF enables training to be delivered that meet industry-led demand for specific skills in regions, and specialist areas that are not being adequately met in the current training market.
Wodonga Institute of TAFE is offering 25 Free TAFE courses, including the Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping, Certificate IV in Education Support, and Diploma of Community Services.
Thousands of Victorians are on the way to getting the skills they need to secure jobs in high-demand industries, with over 13,500 students enrolled in Free TAFE courses across Victoria, driving a 60 per cent increase in enrolments compared to the same TAFE courses at the same time last year.
“We’re making training more accessible and affordable for Victorians. The increased number of students at Wodonga TAFE is showing the popularity and importance of the Free TAFE program," Minister Tierney said.
“Not only does the Free TAFE program help job seekers to find ongoing work, it also provides a steady stream of workers for industries in the Wodonga region with skills shortages.”
Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, said the Free TAFE initiative is helping locals in North East Victoria get the skills they need for the jobs they want.
“We’re investing in Wodonga TAFE so that it has modern facilities and a range of courses available that are tailored to local industries," Symes said.