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Enrolments for Free TAFE in Gippsland up by 29 percent for 2020

More than 13,000 jobseekers enrolled in the Andrews Labor Government’s Free TAFE initiative across TAFE Gippsland, Box Hill Institute and Chisholm Institute last year, making rewarding career pathways a reality for thousands of Victorians.

By news@gippsland - 27th August 2021 - Back to News

In its first two years, the Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative has helped more than 70,000 Victorians learn new skills or bolster their resumé – with students across Regional Victoria saving over $37 million.

If you’ve recently graduated from high school and you're tossing up your future career pathway, you may have considered TAFE as an option, there are benefits of choosing a TAFE pathway after high school

Supporting industry demand

More than 2,294 Free TAFE students were enrolled at TAFE Gippsland last year, up by 29 per cent on 2019, more than 3,314 at Box Hill Institute, up by 17 per cent on 2019, and more than 8,150at Chisholm Institute, up by 13 per cent on 2019.

Among the most popular courses were the Diploma of Nursing at TAFE Gippsland, with an enrolment increase of 59 per cent, theDiploma of Nursing at Box Hill institute, which grew by 50 per cent, and the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care at Chisholm Institute which rose by 306 per cent – supporting industry demand across Eastern Victoria.

Providing with skills needed

Importantly, Free TAFE has provided even more Victorians with the skills they need, with overall enrolments at the end of 2020 increasing by 21 per cent on the previous year. It has also improved access to training for women, Aboriginal and CALD Victorians.

The number of Aboriginal students enrolled at TAFE Gippsland grew by 81 per cent, CALD and unemployed students grew by 87 per cent, while the number of women, disabled, CALD, and unemployed students at Chisholm Institute all increased more than double.

Ensuring access on higher education

An increasing number of jobseekers are turning to Free TAFE, with the initiative expanding to offer more than 50 courses and support almost 93,000 students commencing since the initiative began. Importantly, training is meeting student expectations, with satisfaction rates reaching more than 84 per cent among graduates.

The Free TAFE initiative began in 2019 and allows eligible students to apply for fully subsidised courses that directly lead to jobs now and into the future. Since 2014, the Labor Government has made a record $3.2 billion investment to rebuild TAFE and support universities and higher education to ensure Victorians have access to high quality education and rewarding career pathways.

Life-changing difference

Harriet Shing Member for Eastern Victoria said, "Free TAFE has made an extraordinary and life-changing difference to the pathways and opportunities for people of all ages and experience across Eastern Victoria. Having so many course options made available via Free TAFE has provided thousands of additional students access to training and skills for jobs and careers in growth industries."

Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney said, "This new report card shows the tangible benefits of Free TAFE on jobseekers, our local workforce and economy – and that’s exactly why we are making record investments in TAFE and training."

Explore the 2020 Free TAFE Report Card at TAFE priority courses.

Pictures from Student Edge website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Council is encouraging the businesses and community groups to send their expressions of interest for the Archibald Prize exhibition.
• Peter Walsh says Andrews government vaccine mandate for all Authorised Workers, including farmers is desperate and illogical
  Mandating COVID vaccinations to all farmers and authorised workers.
• Visit artists home studios from 13-14 November 2021 during Open Studio West Gippsland
  A weekend-long event for you to relax while you discover some of the amazing areas west Gippsland can offer.
• Snowy River railway trestle bridge will boost tourism for East Gippsland
  Council working and supporting the locals in the restoration of the trestle bridge that will give long-term benefits for the community.
• Victorians need to know why Daniel Andrews is so desperate to avoid scrutiny of his dealings with Crown Casino
  Victorians need to know why Daniel Andrews is giving a blind eye to alleged money laundering and so desperate to avoid scrutiny of his dealings with the Crown.
• What is Labor's plan to keep Victoria's supply chain moving with these constant lockdowns
  Victorians have come to rely on a steady stream of food delivery and online shopping to get through another lockdown.
• Draft economic development and visitor economy strategies for South Gippsland
  The Draft Economic Development and Visitor Economy Strategies are now out for public comment.
• Extra $1.6 million for critical child care services in West and South Gippsland
  Government assistance committed to giving access to families for a quality child care.
• New footpath along Howitt Avenue and Eastwood Road to make a safer route to school and the shops
  East Gippsland Shire Council starts work this week on a new footpath that will provide Eastwood locals with a safer route to school and the shops, and offer a great reason to leave the car at home.
• Massive black hole in Victorian government budget for regional areas like Gippsland
  Government’s failure on projects and creating jobs for the locals, attempting to hide the real status of what was promised.
• Bairnsdale Aquatic and Recreation Centre awards local company A1 Solar & Electrical to install 100kW solar power system
  East Gippsland Shire Council is tapping into the power of the sun to save on energy costs by installing its largest-ever solar system in one of its buildings.
• Pakenham railway line to have boom gate removed by 2025
  The Andrews Labor Government will make Melbourne’s longest train line level crossing-free, with the last five dangerous and congested level crossings on the Pakenham line to be gone for good by 2025.
• Traralgon and Warragul to benefit from Andrews Victorian government rural residential aged care facilities renewal program
  The Victorian Government is upgrading public sector residential aged care services across Eastern Victoria, creating new jobs and ensuring hundreds of older Victorians continue to receive the care and comfort they deserve.
• Darren Chester in support of federal funding for improvement to Greenwattle Racecourse in Sale
  Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and Sale Turf Club CEO Brad Evans discussing opportunities for Federal Government grants to support further upgrades at the Greenwattle Racecourse.
• Give your view on vaccines passports to Russell Broadbent for South and West Gippsland
  Invitation to share your thought and concerns about the vaccination passports
• Tell your mobile dropouts, blackspots and poor connections to the 'Connecting Victoria' online survey
  The people of Gippsland have been given a unique opportunity to name the dropouts, the blackspots and the poor digital connections that impede their ability to live, work and play.
• Latrobe Regional Hospital to host Mind Australia pop-up community mental health service and cater to Gippsland
  Additional funding to support the mental health workforce for better and more accessible services as the Latrobe Regional Hospital to host one of the pop-up community mental health services.
• Victorian meat supply at risk after processors overlooked in Andrews Labor government pandemic roadmap
  Workforce capacity reduction to give shortage on meat supply during peak season.
• Darren Chester welcomes Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Bill to allow large Bass Strait projects with hundreds of local jobs
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the introduction of legislation to develop offshore electricity infrastructure with local jobs at stake.
• Multi-million for bushfire recovery infrastructure projects is great news for East Gippsland
  Funding announcements and grant received from council that would benefit the economy, as well as the community.
• Federal Local Economic Recovery program funds $1.4 million for improvements to Buchan streetscape in East Gippsland
  Buchan streetscape will be upgraded thanks to Federal Government funding through the Local Economic Recovery Program.