Joel Bowden announces 2200 Fee-Free TAFE places to come fro NT students

More than 2000 additional Fee-Free TAFE places will be ready for Territorians as of 2024, with key industries targeted to meet the NT’s $40bn economy goal.

More than 2000 Territorians will be able to access fee-free courses over the next three years, targeting several key areas to boost the NT’s economy.

Skills and Training Minister Joel Bowden said 1500 Territorians accessed the initiative in 2023.

Mr Bowden said the priority training areas in the coming years included childcare, healthcare including aged and disability care, technology and digital, hospitality and tourism, construction, agriculture, and sovereign capability.

“These priority training areas have clear job outcomes in the Northern Territory and support a $40 billion economy by 2030,” he said.

It comes after the commonwealth government committed $155m over the next five years to the Territory’s training sector as part of a new National Skills Agreement.

Skills, Training and International Education Minister Joel Bowden. Picture: Sierra Haigh

Although waiving course fees plays a critical role across the board during the current cost of living crisis, Mr Bowden said the Fee-Free TAFE initiative offered a unique benefit to women.

He said financial barriers could limit Territorians’ access to upskilling and training opportunities and waiving fees overcame that barrier.

“This is especially valuable for women who might be facing economic hardship or returning to work,” Mr Bowden said.

“This financial support also encourages women to undertake study in non-traditional fields such as Horticulture, Aquaculture and Civil Construction.

“In 2023, 747 Territory women undertook fee free training of which 29 females undertook study in non-traditional fields.”