The Minns Labor Government is investing $11.6 million to expand the Educational Pathways Program (EPP), giving thousands more NSW public high school students a direct pathway into trades, vocational training and skilled careers.
The investment across four years will expand the highly successful program into three more regions and an additional 24 public schools.
The EPP currently operates in 183 high schools across 11 regions, with the expansion set to reach an extra 7,500 students each year and bring the total number of participating schools to 207 from next year. Seven new schools in the Central West and Orana, seven in the Camden region, eight schools in southern NSW and two new schools in south-west Sydney will benefit from the expansion.
The EPP helps students connect with expert guidance, hands-on learning in real industry settings and access to VET pathways, school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs), work experience and employment.
Our government is boosting school-based vocational education, with commencing enrolments in NSW public schools surging 36.5 per cent from 29,005 students in 2024 to 39,605 in 2025.
The expansion is part of the Minns Labor Government's record $3.46 billion investment in skills, training and TAFE NSW in the 2026-27 Budget, helping rebuild vocational education and deliver the skilled workers needed for more homes, major infrastructure and clean energy projects.
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:
"The Minns Labor Government is making sure more young people can get the skills that work and the pathways they need into good jobs.
"Not every student wants to follow the same path after school, and that's exactly why the Educational Pathways Program is so important in setting up our kids for future success.
"Whether it's a school-based apprenticeship, a traineeship, TAFE, or another vocational pathway, we want young people to know the opportunities are there and help them take that next step. Those pathways can lead to rewarding, secure jobs in key industries like construction, clean energy, agriculture and manufacturing that our economy depends on.
"This National Skills Week, and every week, we're backing our commitment to build the skilled workforce our state needs while giving young people, regardless of their location, the confidence and support to pursue rewarding careers close to home.
"As we deliver more homes, major infrastructure and renewable energy projects across NSW, it's critical we have enough skilled workers in the pipeline, and this $11.6 million boost will help with exactly that."
