Search the full list of first round TAFE SA offers after more than double the number students are offered

More than double the amount of students have been offered a first-round offer at TAFE in a bid to address skill shortages. See what your friends are studying by searching our full list.

TAFE SA students Teo Adani Syahputra, 20, (Cookery and Hospitality), Maria Baylon, 23, (Cyber Security) and Liam Knevitt, 23, (Hospitality Management), on December 6th, 2022, at the city campus. Picture: Tom Huntley

More than double the amount of students have been offered a first-round offer at TAFE in a huge overhaul to address skill shortages.

The government’s fee-free TAFE initiative has meant thousands of South Australians have the opportunity to study in their desired field while still addressing the skills shortages in the state.

TAFE SA has made 9190 first-round offers for students starting courses next month – a 59% increase in comparison with last year.

Receiving more than 15,995 applications this year, offers will continue to be made weekly from January 13 until applications close on April 21.

TAFE SA chief executive David Coltman said it is pleasing to see “the response to Fee-Free TAFE” and how it has “contributed to the growth in both application and offer numbers for the semester ahead”.

“It is pleasing to see the continued demand for a variety of courses across TAFE SA as we continue to support our state to address skills shortages in key industry sectors,” he said.

Minister for education, training and skills Blair Boyer said the offers show the “key role” that fee-free TAFE and the reintroduction of courses will play in addressing skills shortages in South Australia.

“TAFE SA plays a critical role in helping industries facing skill shortages and giving South Australians the skills they need for the job they want,” Ms Boyer said.

“It is pleasing to see high application numbers in nursing, early childhood education and care, and aged and disability services.”

Aged and disability services, management, dental, pathology, nursing, and early childhood education and care are among the most popular 2023 courses.

Scroll down to see a full list of all the offers TAFE SA made this year.

TAFE SA students Teo Adani Syahputra is studying cookery and hospitality), while Liam Knevitt is in hospitality management. Picture: Tom Huntley

TAFE SA is home to thousand of students, from far and wide, looking to pursue a hands-on course to better equip them for their desired career field.

Teo Syahputra, having left his family restaurant in Bali to start studying at TAFE SA’s Regency Campus in 2022, is a prime example of this.

The 20-year-old is living with his aunty at Lockleys while he completes his Certificate III and Certificate IV in Cookery.

“I love being here, it is a terrific opportunity for me to get a job in hospitality in South Australia so I can stay,” he said.

Teo said he was enjoying learning from the teaching staff at Regency Park.

“I have Frank Hero as my lecturer and mentor,” he said.

“He is a very good chef, very clean, very creative.

“Frank is teaching me very well. I love him. He is a very good lecturer.”

TAFE SA student Maria Baylon is studying cyber security. Picture: Tom Huntley

After having spent most of his life with his parents in Asia, Liam Knevitt also moved to South Australia in 2019 to complete a degree in environmental policy and management at the University of Adelaide.

It was while working as a casual waiter, as an overseas exchange student, in Hong Kong during his study that he became interested in hospitality.

Liam, 23, of Glenelg, is now studying a Diploma in Hospitality Management at TAFE SA’s Regency Campus in the hope of becoming a sommelier.

“I have a real passion for hospitality,” he said.

“I am enjoying the course and the energy it is creating.

“It is teaching me the basics of how to be a waiter, barman, barista and food and beverage attendant.

“I want to learn as much as I can and my lecturers are teaching me a lot.”

Liam said his lecturers at Regency Park had excellent networks.

“If I want to find someone to get more knowledge, then they help me,” he said.

Originally from the Philippines, Maria Baylon is another student who chose a TAFE SA course as the best path for her.

The 23-year-old started studying computer networking before learning TAFE SA was starting a course in cyber security in 2022.

Maria, who migrated with her family to Adelaide 11 years ago, switched to gain qualifications in the emerging digital industry.

“I’ve always had a general interest in information technology, I like tinkering with computers,” she said.

“I had a bit of a break and decided to do cyber security at TAFE because South Australia has good job prospects, especially with Lot Fourteen.”

Maria said her lecturer, James Corbett, was “very good”.

“He is very up to date and knowledgeable,” she said.

“I am learning a lot from him.”