Free TAFE Expanded As Latest Tech School Opens
More Victorians will be able to get the skills and training they need for free, with the Andrews Labor Government today announcing the next 10 free TAFE courses for high demand industries.
The announcement comes as Premier Daniel Andrews joined Minister for Education James Merlino and Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney to open the Labor Government’s latest Tech School, which will cater to almost 14,000 students from 19 secondary schools in the Banyule and Nillumbik areas.
The Banyule-Nillumbik Tech School is the sixth Tech School to open in Victoria as part of the Government’s $128 million investment to establish 10 Tech Schools and make Victoria the Education State.
Located at Melbourne Polytechnic’s Greensborough campus, which was re-opened by the Labor Government in 2016 after the former Liberal Government shut it down, the Banyule-Nillumbik Tech School will help students develop skills in scientific and technical services, healthcare and social assistance, as well as entrepreneurship.
The Government is delivering the largest pipeline of infrastructure projects in Victoria’s history – and we need people to build them. That’s why we’re making 30 priority TAFE courses and 20 pre-apprenticeship courses tuition free to enable more Victorians to get the skills they need for jobs in high demand industries.
The next 10 TAFE courses and two additional pre-apprenticeship courses that will be part of the Free TAFE initiative were revealed today and range from community service courses to construction and cyber security.
The $172 million Free TAFE initiative was announced in the Victorian Budget 2018/19 as part of a $644 million package to strengthen TAFE and apprenticeships and provide 30,000 extra government-subsidised training places.
TAFE institutes across Victoria can take enrolments in 2018 for Free TAFE courses that begin in 2019. For the full list of courses visit freetafe.vic.gov.au.
Quote attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“We’re not only investing in the projects our state needs – we’re investing in the people we need to build them.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“We want students to be ready for the jobs of the future. That’s why we’re investing in Tech Schools so they can get hands-on learning with the technology they need.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney
“We know that the cost of training can act as a barrier to getting the right skills – that’s why we’re making 30 TAFE and 20 pre-apprenticeship courses tuition free.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eltham Vicki Ward
“The Liberals closed Greensborough TAFE down, while making devastating cuts to TAFE across the board. Labor’s record investments are putting TAFE back at the heart of training here in Greensborough and right across Victoria.”
FREE TAFE FOR PRIORITY COURSES
New TAFE priority courses
Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
Certificate IV in Cyber Security
Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention
Certificate IV in Youth Work
Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying
Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure
Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs
Certificate IV in Civil Construction Supervision
Diploma of Justice
Certificate III in Tourism
New pre-apprenticeship courses
Certificate II in Building and Construction (pre-apprenticeship)
Certificate II in Production Nursery (pre-apprenticeship)
Previously announced TAFE priority courses
Certificate IV/Diploma/Advanced Diploma in Accounting
Certificate IV in Ageing Support
Certificate II/III/IV in Agriculture
Certificate III in Agriculture (Dairy Production)
Certificate III/IV in Allied Health Assistance
Certificate IV/Diploma in Building and Construction (Building)
Certificate III in Civil Construction
Certificate III/IV/Diploma in Community Services
Certificate III in Concreting
Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing
Certificate III/IV in Dental Assisting
Certificate IV in Disability
Certificate III/IV in Education Support
Certificate IV in Engineering
Certificate III in Horticulture
Certificate III in Hospitality
Certificate III in Individual Support
Certificate IV in Mental Health
Diploma of Nursing
Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services
Previously announced pre-apprenticeship courses
Certificate II in Automotive Air Conditioning Technology
Certificate II in Automotive Body Repair Technology
Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology
Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation
Certificate II in Baking
Certificate II in Construction Pathways
Certificate II in Electrotechnology Studies (Pre-vocational)
Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start)
Certificate II in Engineering Pathways
Certificate II in Engineering Studies
Certificate II in Furniture Making
Certificate II in Glass and Glazing
Certificate II in Horticulture
Certificate II in Meat Processing (Food Services)
Certificate II in Plumbing (Pre-apprenticeship)
Certificate II in Printing and Graphic Arts (General)
Certificate II in Salon Assistant
Certificate II in Signage and Graphics