Almost 2000 students enrolled in more than $5 million worth of free courses at Gordon TAFE last year in a new state government initiative.
The number of Geelong students accessing the Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative was up 36 per cent on 2019, with locals saving a total of $5,092,301 in fees through the program in 2020, according to state government.
The diploma of nursing was the most popular course at Gordon TAFE with enrollments increasing by 83 per cent in the calendar year.
Certificate IV in plumbing and services increased by 42 per cent, state government’s recently-released TAFE report card revealed.
Both courses were supporting demand in Geelong, according to state government.
“This new report card shows the tangible benefits of free TAFE on jobseekers, and our local workforce and economy, and that’s exactly why we are making record investments in TAFE and training,” Training and Skills Minister Gayle Tierney said.
The number of Indigenous students enrolled at Gordon TAFE also grew by 23 per cent.
The Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative has helped more than 70,000 Victorians learn new skills in its first two years, according to government.
The initiative has now expanded to offer more than 50 courses and support almost 93,000 students commencing since it began.
Overall enrollment in TAFE courses increased by 21 per cent in Victoria for 2020, with improved access for women, and Indigenous and culturally-diverse Victorians, according to government.
The free TAFE initiative began in 2019 and allows eligible students to apply for fully-subsidised courses that lead directly to jobs.
State government says the training is meeting student expectations, with satisfaction rates reaching more than 84 per cent among graduates.
“Free TAFE is life-changing to people in Geelong – and Gordon TAFE has been a key part in giving jobseekers better access to training and the jobs that they want,” Geelong MP Christine Couzens said.
Since 2014, state government has invested a “record” $3.2 billion to rebuild TAFE and support universities and higher education, according to a government statement.
