- Minister for Training and Skills
The first cohort of Free TAFE students from William Angliss Institute have graduated from their courses and are beginning to secure jobs, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government's landmark Free TAFE initiative.
Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney today visited William Angliss Institute to congratulate students completing Certificate III in Hospitality and Certificate III in Tourism.
The Labor Government is investing in TAFE to give Victorians the skills they need to get the jobs they want - and help grow the Victorian economy. These new graduates now have the qualifications they need to secure jobs in the booming tourism and hospitality sector, which has created 12,900 jobs over the last year.
Recent data released by Tourism Research Australia shows Victoria's $30 billion tourism industry is employing more people than ever, with jobs growth above the national average - thanks to Free TAFE, graduating students will be first in line to secure these jobs and join the 232,700 workers in this crucial sector of our economy.
More than 25,000 students have started Free TAFE courses, driving a 92 per cent increase in commencements in these courses compared to the same period in 2018. The Labor Government recently announced $11.7 million to accommodate this strong student demand for Free TAFE and support its growth.
Female students account for 57 per cent of all Free TAFE students, up nine per cent compared with the same courses last year. The data also shows female participation has doubled in traditionally male-dominated courses such as Agriculture, Horticulture, Building Surveying and Cyber Security.
Meanwhile, students over the age of 30 account for 47 per cent of Free TAFE students and more than a quarter of Free TAFE commencements are in regional Victoria.
Thanks to Free TAFE, students can save up to $2,500 for some pre-apprenticeship courses and up to $5,000 for Certificate IV courses. For higher level courses such as a Diploma in Nursing or a Diploma in Building and Construction, students will save more than $10,000 through the Free TAFE initiative.
Since 2015, the Labor Government has invested more than $1.3 billion to rebuild our TAFE system and ensure students can get the skills they need for the jobs they want.
As stated by Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney
"Thanks to Free TAFE, these William Angliss graduates now have the skills and knowledge they need to help kick off their careers in Victoria's booming hospitality and tourism sectors."
As stated by Member for Northern Metropolitan Nazih Elasmar
"Not only does the Free TAFE program give every Victorian the opportunity to get new skills and secure a good job, it also provides a steady stream of workers for industries with skills shortages."
