More Victorians will be able to get the skills and training they need for free, with the Andrews Labor Government today announcing the next 10 free TAFE courses for high demand industries.
The announcement comes as Premier Daniel Andrews joined Minister for Education James Merlino and Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney to open the Labor Government’s latest Tech School, which will cater to almost 14,000 students from 19 secondary schools in the Banyule and Nillumbik areas.
The Banyule-Nillumbik Tech School is the sixth Tech School to open in Victoria as part of the Government’s $128 million investment to establish 10 Tech Schools and make Victoria the Education State.
Located at Melbourne Polytechnic’s Greensborough campus, which was re-opened by the Labor Government in 2016 after the former Liberal Government shut it down, the Banyule-Nillumbik Tech School will help students develop skills in scientific and technical services, healthcare and social assistance, as well as entrepreneurship.
The Government is delivering the largest pipeline of infrastructure projects in Victoria’s history – and we need people to build them. That’s why we’re making 30 priority TAFE courses and 20 pre-apprenticeship courses tuition free to enable more Victorians to get the skills they need for jobs in high demand industries.
The next 10 TAFE courses and two additional pre-apprenticeship courses that will be part of the Free TAFE initiative were revealed today and range from community service courses to construction and cyber security.
The $172 million Free TAFE initiative was announced in the Victorian Budget 2018/19 as part of a $644 million package to strengthen TAFE and apprenticeships and provide 30,000 extra government-subsidised training places.
TAFE institutes across Victoria can take enrolments in 2018 for Free TAFE courses that begin in 2019. For the full list of courses visit freetafe.vic.gov.au.
Quote attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“We’re not only investing in the projects our state needs – we’re investing in the people we need to build them.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“We want students to be ready for the jobs of the future. That’s why we’re investing in Tech Schools so they can get hands-on learning with the technology they need.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney
“We know that the cost of training can act as a barrier to getting the right skills – that’s why we’re making 30 TAFE and 20 pre-apprenticeship courses tuition free.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eltham Vicki Ward
"The Liberals closed Greensborough TAFE down, while making devastating cuts to TAFE across the board. Labor’s record investments are putting TAFE back at the heart of training here in Greensborough and right across Victoria.”
FREE TAFE FOR PRIORITY COURSES
New TAFE priority courses
- Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
- Certificate IV in Cyber Security
- Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention
- Certificate IV in Youth Work
- Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying
- Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure
- Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs
- Certificate IV in Civil Construction Supervision
- Diploma of Justice
- Certificate III in Tourism
New pre-apprenticeship courses
- Certificate II in Building and Construction (pre-apprenticeship)
- Certificate II in Production Nursery (pre-apprenticeship)
Previously announced TAFE priority courses
- Certificate IV/Diploma/Advanced Diploma in Accounting
- Certificate IV in Ageing Support
- Certificate II/III/IV in Agriculture
- Certificate III in Agriculture (Dairy Production)
- Certificate III/IV in Allied Health Assistance
- Certificate IV/Diploma in Building and Construction (Building)
- Certificate III in Civil Construction
- Certificate III/IV/Diploma in Community Services
- Certificate III in Concreting
- Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing
- Certificate III/IV in Dental Assisting
- Certificate IV in Disability
- Certificate III/IV in Education Support
- Certificate IV in Engineering
- Certificate III in Horticulture
- Certificate III in Hospitality
- Certificate III in Individual Support
- Certificate IV in Mental Health
- Diploma of Nursing
- Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services
Previously announced pre-apprenticeship courses
- Certificate II in Automotive Air Conditioning Technology
- Certificate II in Automotive Body Repair Technology
- Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology
- Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation
- Certificate II in Baking
- Certificate II in Construction Pathways
- Certificate II in Electrotechnology Studies (Pre-vocational)
- Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start)
- Certificate II in Engineering Pathways
- Certificate II in Engineering Studies
- Certificate II in Furniture Making
- Certificate II in Glass and Glazing
- Certificate II in Horticulture
- Certificate II in Meat Processing (Food Services)
- Certificate II in Plumbing (Pre-apprenticeship)
- Certificate II in Printing and Graphic Arts (General)
- Certificate II in Salon Assistant
- Certificate II in Signage and Graphics
Reviewed 19 August 2020