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‘ Making progress ’
Training Minister Brendan O ' Connor . Picture : Brenton Edwards , News Corp Australia
Success as over 214,000 students enrol in fee-free TAFE
By Erin Nixon
Enrolments in the government-backed Fee-Free TAFE initiative exceeded 214,000 in the first six months , nearly 35,000 more than anticipated .
The federal government announced a 12-month skills agreement providing $ 550.1m in 2023 , including $ 493.3m for fee-free TAFE places , which state and territory governments would match .
Under the skills agreement , eligible people could choose from 300 free qualifications , “ delivering free TAFE places to train , retrain and upskill Australian workers ,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said .
Fee-free TAFE courses align with industry growth sectors , including the care sector , technology and digital , hospitality and tourism , construction , agriculture and sovereign capability .
Most 2023 enrolments were in the care sector , with more than 51,000 students ( 23.8 per cent ) enrolled .
The initiative prioritised placements for equity cohorts , with women taking up the majority of enrolments .
More than 34 per cent of total enrolments were from inner and outer regional locations , and over 20 per cent were current job seekers .
“ This is an encouraging sign that Australia is making progress on easing skills shortages still affecting many areas of the economy post-pandemic ,” Training Minister Brendan O ’ Connor said .
“ These shortages affect up to 31 per cent of occupations according to the 2022 Skills Priority List .”
TAFE AS A ‘ SECOND OPTION ’ In August , National Skills Week 2023 promoted the importance of skills-based education and highlighting its diverse career pathways .
National Skills Week aimed to dispel the negative perceptions surrounding vocational education and training ( VET ) as a ‘ second option ’ to university degrees and focused on emerging skills and industry needs .
“ Parents and students have been led to believe that university education automatically means a better outcome and
People often say to me , ‘ you know , apprentices don ’ t get paid very much ’, and I say , ‘ well actually , they ’ re getting paid to learn ’
that TAFE is a study path to fall back on ,” said National Skills Week chair Brian Wexham .
“ Not all lucrative careers require a university degree , which can hold students back from successful and lucrative careers in industries of importance to the Australian economy ,” Mr Wexham said .
The cost of university compared to TAFE leaves university graduates with higher debts without the promise of higher salaries .
“ People often say to me , ‘ you know , apprentices don ’ t get paid very much ’, and I say , ‘ well actually , they ’ re getting paid to learn ’,” Mr Wexham said .
The federal government is negotiating with states and territories to deliver a five-year National Skills Agreement and is due to announce the 2024 fee-free places soon . ■
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