Korean students are lining up for TAFE places in Queensland

Queensland has bucked the national trend of foreign student numbers declining, and is targeting a particular nationality to keep filling TAFE places.

QUEENSLAND is hoping to lure more Koreans to its shores to learn English, cookery and nursing as the flow of international students grows, bucking a national trend.

Training and Skills Minister Shannon Fentiman said more than 2000 students were enrolled in the state’s TAFEs this month – an increase of nearly 4 per cent on the previous year.

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That compares with a 2.4 per cent decline in international TAFE students nationally.

But about 7000 Korean students study in Queensland across the whole year, with the country leading the list of top source markets.

China, Columbia, Brazil and Taiwan round out the top five international enrolments.

“This is great news for our thriving training industry and a result of our world class training on offer,” Ms Fentiman said.

The most popular courses were intensive English studies, cookery, nursing, hospitality management and vehicle mechanics.

Training and Skills Minister Shannon Fentiman said more than 2000 students were enrolled in the state’s TAFEs this month, contributing $4.6 billion to the economy and supporting 21,000 jobs.

Ms Fentiman said the state was hoping to further capitalise on a South Korea trade mission she led last month with a specific focus on education.

“Queensland has a strong trading relationship with South Korea and deep cultural relations,” she said.

“The mission to Korea will lead to better training opportunities for thousands of young Koreans over many years and it’s exciting Queensland can play a role in this.”

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said additional good news was in a recent global survey that found 82 per cent of international students in Queensland TAFEs and colleges would recommend their school to a friend, compared to 79 per cent nationally.

“When it comes to growing this $4 billion sector, word-of-mouth is everything,” she said.

Ms Jones said international education could also create jobs in regional Queensland.

“Some of our most promising international education destinations are in our regions – places like the Gold Coast, Townsville and Cairns, where students can get a first-class education and soak in some of the great tourism experiences on offer,” she said.

The same survey also found 81 per cent of international students attending Queensland universities would recommend their university to a friend and 77 per cent of international secondary students would recommend their school.