Fee-free TAFE boost to construction trades after joint announcement

Hundreds more Tasmanians will be able to study for work in the construction trades without paying TAFE fees following a $1.8m joint funding announcement by the state and federal governments.

The state and federal governments have announced more fee-free TAFE places.

Hundreds more Tasmanians will be able to study for work in the construction trades without paying TAFE fees following a $1.8m joint funding announcement by the state and federal governments.

The places come on top of 4,600 fee-free places made available in February.

Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles and Tasmanian Minister for Skills and Training Felix Ellis announced the new places in Launceston on Tuesday.

Mr Giles said the funding was intended to help the state build its workforce in areas where shortages had been identified.

“One of the great challenges that every government around Australia is confronting, and something that every Australian is concerned about, this is one part of a much bigger picture, because we know we’ve got so much to do to build the skills Australians and Tasmanians need,” he said.

“Nine out of 10 jobs in the future require a post skill qualification.

“Half of those jobs don’t mean a degree, they need a trade qualification.

“Fee-free TAFE is opening the door. It’s a passport to a good job and a good life for so many people.”

The state and federal governments have announced more fee-free TAFE places.

Mr Giles said the take-up of fee-free places had been particularly strong in Tasmania.

“We know that fee-free TAFE in particular, has been a great success for Tasmania.,” he said.

“More than 6000 Tasmanians have taken up the opportunity to build a new career, to gain skills, and also to gain really important cost of living relief by taking courses that save them thousands of dollars while meeting our skills challenges for them and for our shared future.”

Mr Ellis hailed the agreement.

“This a wonderful partnership between Tasmania and the federal government, it’s delivering more training opportunities for Tasmanian tradies,” he said.

“It’s providing cost of living relief for young apprentices and other people that want to get into the construction industry, which is one of the most exciting industries there is.

“It’s also important that we’re delivering a skilled workforce that can build the homes that Tasmanians need.”

From 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2024, there were 6,209 student enrolments in Fee-Free TAFE courses in Tasmania, including 452 construction sector course enrolments.

The most popular Fee-Free TAFE courses in Tasmania Certificate III in Individual Support, Assist Clients with Medication Skill Set, Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, Prepare to Work safely in the Construction Industry and Medical Terminology Skill Set.

Fee-Free TAFE supported over 508,800 enrolments nationally since it commenced on 1 January 2023.

Originally published as Fee-free TAFE boost to construction trades after joint announcement