Thinking about what to do after school?

EDUCATION will be a whole lot sweeter for thousands of tertiary students after the state government made 160 TAFE courses free next year.

Waterford MP Shannon Fentiman and chef Matt Golinski watch as Beenleigh State High School students put the finishing touches on their Paddock to Plate lunch.

EDUCATION will be a whole lot sweeter for thousands of tertiary students after the state government made 160 TAFE courses free next year.

Training Minister Shannon Fentiman said it was a great opportunity for those who wanted to follow a path in any number of careers, including hospitality.

Ms Fentiman, also the Waterford MP, told Beenleigh State High School students it was an opportunity not to be missed when she attended the annual Paddock 2 Plate lunch on Friday.

The fourth Paddock 2 Plate at Beenleigh State High brought the freshest produce from the school’s garden and agricultural paddocks to the dinner table. Chef Matt Golinski was on hand to help dish up the lunch.

Beenleigh State High School principal Matt O’Hanlon acknowledged Mr Golinski and Ms Fentiman’s support. Mr Golinski, whose family died in an horrific house fire in 2011, spent three days in the school’s trade training centre kitchen with 20 hospitality students to ensure the menu and service were top quality.

He was at the school in 2015 for the first Paddock 2 Plate. The school said it was the ideal chance for the students to learn about food while gaining valuable skills for future careers.

Ms Fentiman said students completing Year 12 this year who were specifically interested in hospitality could sign up for free courses next year.