Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, today announced 180,000 fee free TAFE places for 2023.
Speaking at the National Jobs and Skills Summit today, Albanese announced a $1.1 billion package sharing the costs between the commonwealth, state and territories.
“We will continue to co-operate on the design of a long-term National Skills Agreement, and indeed we have agreed to the principles that will shape it,” he said.
“But in recognition of the urgent challenges facing our nation, we are taking action now with a billion-dollar training blitz, driven by public TAFE.
“We want to see more Australians gaining the skills they need to find good jobs, in areas of national priority.
And I want this to be the beginning, not the end, of the progress that we see on skills and training over the next two days.”
Earlier this week, the Queensland government announced free TAFE and free apprenticeships for under 25s.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the initiative, which has already helped 56,000 Queenslanders get the skills and training employers value, was due to end in September but will be extended until 2023.
“Queensland’s unemployment rate is at 3.8 per cent and we know that means employers need workers to fill the good jobs that are still there,” the Premier said.
“For many people, that may mean upgrading skills and training which is why free TAFE is so important.
“We want to make sure employers have access to the skilled workforce they need.”
Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said Queenslanders aged under 25 could continue to enrol in 26 Free TAFE programs and 139 Free apprenticeships programs up to 30 June 2023 and pay no course fees.
“Our Free TAFE and Free apprenticeships for under 25s initiative is an additional $21 million investment to provide young people with access to free certificate III TAFE courses across a wide range of areas,” Farmer said.
“Since August 2018, 56,000 Queenslanders have undertaken programs in sectors including health, community services, hospitality, building and construction and education support with TAFE Queensland and other providers delivering their training free of charge.
“This is training that has enabled young Queenslanders to learn skills to get a great job, go on to further study or succeed in their apprenticeship.
“At a time when our employers need more skilled workers, my message to young Queenslanders is find out about these free courses and change your life by training for a career they are passionate about.”
Farmer said the Palaszczuk Government has delivered record investment in skills and training in this year’s State Budget, investing $1.2 billion for Queenslanders to access programs such as free training, subsidised training or dedicated work preparation programs.