With industries crying out for skilled labour, the Federal Government announces TAFE expansion
A major step forward has been taken in getting more young people skilled and into work. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese chose the first day of the Jobs Summit to announce a $1.1 billion training package to fund an additional 180,000 fee-free TAFE places by 2023.
The investment, to be jointly funded by Federal, state and territory governments will help in boosting the skills that Albanese acknowledged are urgently needed to fill the huge numbers of job vacancies across the country.
“We want to see more Australians gaining the skills they need to find good jobs, in areas of national priority… And I want this to be the beginning, not the end, of the progress that we see on skills and training over the next two days.”
Of the 180,000 places, 60,000 are new opportunities and 120,000 are existing paid TAFE places that are set to become free.
The Federal government has also said it will contribute funding for support services for students who are vulnerable to stem the drop out rate and provide $50 million for technology upgrades.
Funding for TAFE places has been cut back over many years, dropping by $1.6 billion, from its peak of $7.65 billion in 2012.
The announcement was welcomed by many in industry especially in the hard-hit construction and building sector.
Director and Chief Investment Officer of Bowens, Andy Bowen said that it was a positive step forward addressing ongoing national labour shortages.
“We wait to see how much of that allocation goes towards a challenged building and construction industry. Trades remain pillars of Australia’s economy, and only through ongoing Federal and State Government support are we able to tackle nationwide shortages.
“Through our leading TAFE partnership, with the likes of our recent pilot program at Holmesglen, we have witnessed first-hand the issues and concerns young trade students are feeling. We recognise apprenticeship training as one of the key factors that strengthens our industry, and that is why Bowens is committing to quarterly trainee programs for all major TAFEs.
