Gold Coast recent school leavers and other locals looking to upskill or change careers are being encouraged to enrol in one of the 37,000 Fee-Free TAFE places available across Queensland in 2023.

Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said Fee Free TAFE is a great opportunity for recent graduates from the Gold Coast region to create a pathway to their dream career.

“Fee Free TAFE training in 2023 can provide a wonderful stepping stone to an ideal career for recent school leavers, especially if they’re currently undecided about what they’d like to do,” Minister Farmer said. 

“Across Queensland there are 37,000 Fee Free TAFE places available in 2023 in a range of industries including aged care, health care, technology and digital; hospitality and agriculture.  

“Approximately 84 per cent of TAFE Queensland graduates go into employment or further study so I’d encourage Gold Coasters to consider a Fee Free TAFE course in 2023.

“At a time when our employers need more skilled workers, I urge all people from the Gold Coast to learn about these free courses and change your life by training for a career you are passionate about,” she said.

Minister for Science and Youth Affairs and Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said TAFE was easily one of the top options for young Gold Coasters and Gold Coasters in general who want to gain valuable skills and a good job.

“Fee Free TAFE is a great opportunity for Gold Coast residents to kick-start their careers,” Minister Scanlon said.

“More than 12,600 students have enrolled in TAFE in the Gold Coast region this financial year and this number is expected to increase with this offer of Fee Free TAFE in 2023.

The most popular courses being studied across the Gold Coast include:

• Certificate IV in Residential Drafting
• Certificate III in Business (Business Administration)
• Diploma of Applied Blockchain
• Certificate III in Pathology Collection
• Certificate IV in Cyber Security
• Diploma of Nursing (*eligible to First Nations Australian, people with disability or people from cultural and linguistically diverse background)
• Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Diploma of Music (Sound Production)
• Certificate III in Information Technology.

Minister Scanlon said Fee Free TAFE provides a wonderful opportunity for Gold Coast residents to address that future skills demand now.

“The Queensland Government has invested more than $70 million on TAFE infrastructure of the Gold Coast alone in recent years.

“This includes: $50 million in upgrades at our Ashmore, and Southport campuses, a further $10 million at the Robina campus, and $12 million for Coomera TAFE’s new marine facility; a package which included $5.3 million from the Australian Government.

“There are plenty of campuses, courses and options available on the Gold Coast and I’d encourage locals to consider enrolling in a Fee Free TAFE course in 2023,” she said.

“The new Robina TAFE campus for example features key learning spaces for Hospitality and Cookery and demonstrates TAFE Queensland’s commitment to ensuring the Gold Coast has a pipeline of qualified workers ready to take on the jobs of the future.

Minister Scanlon said Jobs Queensland predicted an 18 per cent increase in the need of skilled workers in the Accommodation and Food Services industries in the Gold Coast region by 2024-25.  

Minister Farmer said the 37,000 Fee Free TAFE places had been made available to address Queensland’s current and future skills needs and places would be demand driven.

“Queensland’s Good people. Good Jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 ensures we are positioned to seize the job opportunities available now and into the next decade.

“This joint investment with the Australian Government in Fee Free TAFE is further proof of our commitment to delivering good jobs, better services and a great lifestyle for Queenslanders,” she said.

TAFE Queensland has campuses at Ashmore, Southport, Robina, Coomera, and Coolangatta on the Gold Coast.

For further information on courses available and how to enrol please go to Fee Free TAFE | Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (desbt.qld.gov.au)

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