TAFE NSW Managing Director Steffen Faurby has announced fee free and low cost courses for Coffs Harbour locals as part of a landmark NSW Government initiative.

As a key aspect of the state’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan, the NSW Government has committed close to $160 million to match the Australian Government’s JobTrainer fund.

For school leavers and local job seekers, enrolments are open at TAFE NSW through the JobTrainer and Summer Skills programs.

If eligible for fee free JobTrainer courses there are a range on offer with most starting in February.

The courses are targeted at growth employment sectors such as healthcare, early childhood, community services, food sciences, agriculture, horticulture, accounting and finance, and building trades.

Mr Faurby urged locals to investigate how the JobTrainer and Summer Skills programs could help them gain the skills to be in-demand in the post-COVID jobs market.

“We have to skill the workforce to take advantage of future job opportunities which may be very different to jobs in the pre-COVID economy,” Mr Faurby said.

“TAFE NSW is absolutely committed to ensuring NSW remains the most highly skilled workforce in the country.”

“We are working closely with industry to ensure we are delivering a pipeline of job-ready graduates armed with the latest skills to help kick-start the economy,” Mr Faurby said.

“It’s great for those on a gap year wanting to learn something new,” she said.

TAFE NSW’s Summer Skills fee free short course program is specifically designed to help school leavers bridge the gap from school to work, or school to further study.

“The Summer Skills program is a great opportunity for young people to get a taste of different industries and ensure they get a head start in the changing jobs market,” Mr Faurby said.

The Summer skills programs are being held in January in Coffs Harbour at both the Coffs Harbour campus and Coffs Harbour Education campuses.

The courses available include Business Administration Skills, Building your Digital Literacy with Coding, First Aid for Early Childhood, Site ready Commercial Construction, Site Ready Electrotechnology.

Eligibility criteria for Job Trainer and Summer Skills apply.

To find out more visit www.tafensw.edu.au or call 13 16 01.

 

By Sandra MOON