People across Geelong can continue accessing Free TAFE courses, with demand growing across the region.
More than 5,775 enrolments in Free TAFE across the Geelong region, but 21,000 early childcare workers and 70,000 nurses were still needed across Australia in the next 10 years.
Member for Corangamite Libby Coker said it was important to celebrate the program’s success while looking ahead to what further progress could be made as the region’s future workforce was trained.
“Throughout the campaign, I spoke with hundreds of Free TAFE students and their families who said this program is a game-changer,” she said.
“We know Free TAFE is working for thousands of locals across our region, and it’s opening the door of opportunity for people to lead fulfilling lives.
“More than six in ten Free TAFE places have been taken up by women and one in three by students in regional and remote Australia and this uptake of free TAFE reflects how much this program is needed.”
Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles said Free TAFE was “here to stay” and “shouldn’t be taken for granted”.
“The Free TAFE policy has opened doors for hundreds of thousands of Australians, including thousands here in Geelong,” he said.
“It’s a strong foundation but we know there’s always more to do, if we want every Australian to get the skills they want, for the jobs we need.”
