- Minister for Training and Skills
Students and job-seekers in Melbourne northern suburbs are starting courses through the Andrews Labor Government's Free TAFE program, with 430 students having begun their training at Kangan Institute's Broadmeadows campus.
Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney and Member for Broadmeadows Frank McGuire today visited Kangan Institute's Broadmeadow campus. More enrolments are expected following the $172 million Free TAFE program that is making 30 priority TAFE courses and 20 pre-apprenticeship courses free from tuition fees from this year.
During the visit Minister Tierney met with Free TAFE students undertaking the Certificate II in Engineering Pathways, Certificate IV in Engineering, Certificate IV in Building and Construction, and Diploma of Justice courses. These courses are being offered tuition-free under the Free TAFE initiative.
There are more than 820 students enrolled in Free TAFE courses across Kangan Institute's five metropolitan campuses. Kangan Institute is offering 33 Free TAFE courses across its campuses, including the Diploma of Nursing and courses in accounting, education support and community services.
Thousands of Victorians are on the way to getting the skills they need to secure jobs in high-demand industries, with 13,500 students enrolled in Free TAFE courses across the state, driving a 60 per cent increase in enrolments compared to the same TAFE courses at the same time last year.
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 Labor Government's Free TAFE initiative.
As stated by Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney
"We are making training more accessible and affordable for Victorians. The increased number of students at Kangan Institute's Broadmeadows campus is showing the popularity and importance of the Free TAFE program."
"Not only does the Free TAFE program help job seekers to find ongoing work, it also provides a steady stream of workers for industries in Broadmeadows with skills shortages."
As stated by Member for Broadmeadows Frank McGuire
"Free TAFE in Broadmeadows is attracting more locals to enrol in training that will lead to jobs in the local area."
"We're rebuilding TAFE in Victoria and reducing the barriers to training so that job-seekers can apply for the jobs that are most in-demand."
