THE Greens candidates for Page and Cowper, Kashmir Miller and Timothy Nott, have announced a TAFE-to-Jobs Guarantee and skilled jobs program that includes apprenticeships for TAFE students in the Mid-North Coast and Clarence Valley regions.

Nationally, the Greens have a commitment to free TAFE and a million jobs through investment in the manufacturing industry, the emerging circular economy industry, and regenerative agriculture.

Ms Miller and Mr Nott say secure and well paid local jobs, complemented by free university and TAFE to train people for the jobs of the future, can be created.

Ms Miller said, “When I came down for my Page launch in early April, I met with tradespeople in the commercial painting, bee keeping and building sectors to hear their concerns.

“They all welcomed more government support for employers and employees to develop the skills and motivation required for a strong Woolgoolga community.

“As a young person, I directly see that younger people cannot find skilled work locally, and as a result poverty is on the rise on the Mid North Coast.

Mr Nott said, “We currently have a shortage of trade-qualified construction staff across the building industry in
Cowper.

“TAFE has been required to do more with less for years and the results are showing.

“Shortages of qualified construction staff increases the price of housing and repairs, pushing up the cost of living.”

The Greens candidates say courses to enable training and jobs growth could be run across the Mid North Coast.

Mr Nott said, “We have the facilities, and the government should be incentivizing the education of tradespeople right here in Cowper.

“This should be fully funded by the government, not younger Australians.”

 

By Andrew VIVIAN