Free TAFE courses are on offer for Year 12 graduates across Queensland. Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman visited hospitality apprentices at the award winning Pullman Cairns International today to promote the opportunities on offer for our State’s high school graduates.
"Free TAFE for Year 12 graduates is a great opportunity for those who want to follow a path in any number of careers, including hospitality," Ms Fentiman said.
"There are 160 qualifications on offer in high priority industries including manufacturing, science, beauty, aviation and much more."
"We want young Queenslanders to be able to get the skills and training they need to build a lifelong career and fill the jobs of the future."
"The Jobs Queensland Tourism Workforce Plan released last month indicates that as the tourism industry continues to grow it is forecasted that we will need over 20,000 more Queenslanders in tourism jobs by 2020.
"That’s why we’re investing more in tourism than ever before including $180 million in the latest State Budget."
Ms Fentiman congratulated both the Pullman Cairns International on taking out the award for Large Employer of the Year at this year’s Queensland Training awards and Ellie Collins who won the region’s award for School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year.
"Cairns is home to some fantastic achievers and promoters of training in Queensland and it’s fantastic to see the motivation and enthusiasm 16-year-old Ellie has in the kitchen," Ms Fentiman said.
"The training provided by TAFE Queensland and the Pullman Cairns has developed her skills and is helping her towards her dream job."
"The constant communication between TAFE and the hotel’s kitchen leaders ensures that all of their apprentices receive world class training
"Over the past three years Pullman Cairns International has successfully qualified nine apprentices who are now trade qualified chefs and they are doing their part to combat the region’s chef shortage."
"I encourage the current cohort of Year 12 students to consider the free TAFE on offer as they approach graduation in two months.
"There are more than 35 courses that are free for Year 12 graduates which are delivered in the region at one of the four local TAFE Queensland campuses based at Cairns, Atherton, Thursday Island and Innisfail," Ms Fentiman said.
"With courses in the region ranging from automotive technology and carpentry to hospitality and horticulture.
"Queenslanders who completed Year 12 in 2017 have another three months to take advantage of free TAFE opportunities to earn a qualification that employers are looking for.
Free TAFE for Year 12 graduates is available in the calendar year after students graduate. Eligibility criteria, advice for people interested in taking up a training course and other information on accessing this free training funded by the Queensland Government is available from https://training.qld.gov.au/home/freetafe
For extra help and support, call the Training Queensland Customer Centre on 1300 369 935.
