TAFE tradie courses surge on the back of record infrastructure investment across NSW
TRADIE courses in construction, carpentry and plumbing are going through the roof at the state’s TAFEs, while laser hair removal is losing its lustre. The Saturday Telegraph can reveal enrolments have surged and some courses have been axed altogether.
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TRADIE courses in construction, carpentry and plumbing are going through the roof at the state’s TAFEs, while laser hair removal is losing its lustre.
The Saturday Telegraph can reveal the latest TAFE NSW data shows enrolments have surged in the construction and trade industry off the back of record infrastructure investment across the state.
Participation in one certificate course in building and construction was up 26 per cent compared to last year while interest in carpentry and plumbing courses respectively grew by 11 per cent.
One of the biggest enrolment increases was in an electrician certificate course, which enjoyed a 19 per cent spike.
But non-trade related courses were also highly sought after — veterinary nursing jumped by 6 per cent and community services by 21 per cent.
“What we see here is TAFE NSW responding to student and industry demand and increasing offerings in popular areas such as veterinary nursing,” Minister for TAFE NSW Adam Marshall said.
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He said interest in building and construction came as no surprise given NSW will require 21,600 new construction workers over the next three years.
“Increasing enrolments in carpentry, plumbing and electrical shows TAFE NSW is doing the heavy lifting in training the workforce of the future,” he said.
However, enrolments declined in TAFE courses such as intense pulsed light and laser hair reduction. Certificates in captive animals and powerline vegetation control were also less popular.
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And some were axed completely — gravedigging, cemetery and crematorium operations are among courses no longer offered in 2018. Instead, TAFE has introduced futuristic new courses that teach students how to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. A new certificate in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence for business has also been added.
Vet nursing student Megan Booker gave up a marketing career to pursue her passion and is not surprised numbers are up.
“There’s a lot of school leavers, mature age and international students.”