Free TAFE places announced for Victoria

The federal and Victorian Governments have inked a 12-month Skills Agreement which will inject more than $250 million into the Victorian skills and training sector to support access to more than 55,000 Fee-Free TAFE and vocational education and training (VET) places in 2023.

The agreement also includes an Australian Government commitment of $4.2 million to immediately improve TAFE facilities in Victoria, and $0.93 million for essential VET data infrastructure reform.

Training through Fee-Free TAFE will help drive enrolments in sectors with recognised skills shortages by matching training identified through the skills priority list, according to an announcement.

The agreement will support around 200 places in sovereign capability including manufacturing, 6,500 places in the technology and digital sectors, 6,300 in construction, 11,700 in Victorian priorities including foundation skills, 26,900 places in the care sector, 2,000 in agriculture and 1,800 in hospitality and tourism.

Victorian Minister for Higher Education, Training and Skills Gayle Tierney said: “Free TAFE removes financial barriers for people to continue learning and developing their skills and we are proud to partner with the Commonwealth Government to deliver even more places in 2023.”

The 12-month Skills agreement is the first stage of delivering on the skills commitments in the Australian Government’s Future Made in Australia Skills Plan. It also confirms TAFE’s central role in the VET sector, increasing opportunities and workforce participation of priority groups, while addressing critical skills gaps in the economy.

TAFE and public dual sector universities will deliver nearly all of the activity in Victoria, with a small portion of non-TAFE providers delivering care training to ensure opportunities are available to all interested students.

Federal Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor said a lack of skilled workers and pathways to secure, well paid jobs were one of Australia’s greatest economic challenges in decades.

O’Connor said: “To provide greater opportunity for Australians to have secure and rewarding employment we must be able to skill and reskill our workforce.

“We believe everyone should have access to training and this agreement will increase opportunities and workforce participation for groups such as First Nations Australians, young people aged 17-24, people out of work or receiving income support, unpaid carers, women undertaking study in non-traditional fields, people with disability and certain categories of visa holders.”

Further reading: Skills Agreements in your state

Picture: Gayle Tierney