Minister for Training and Skills visits Wodonga TAFE
Thursday, 11 April 2019
Students and job-seekers in Wodonga are starting courses through the Victorian Government’s Free TAFE program, with 472 students having begun their training at Wodonga Institute of TAFE.
This is a 58 per cent increase in the number of students undertaking those courses compared to the same time last year.
Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney today visited Wodonga Institute of TAFE, where more enrolments are expected following the $172 million Free TAFE program that is making 30 priority TAFE courses and 20 pre-apprenticeship courses free from tuition fees from this year.
During the visit, Minister Tierney met with Free TAFE students undertaking the Certificate III in Hospitality and Certificate II in Agriculture.
Wodonga Institute of TAFE is offering 25 Free TAFE courses, including the Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping, Certificate IV in Education Support, and Diploma of Community Services.
Thousands of Victorians are on the way to getting the skills they need to secure jobs in high-demand industries, with 13,500 students enrolled in Free TAFE courses, driving a 60 per cent increase in commencements compared to the same TAFE courses at the same time last year.
Students can save up to $2,500 for some pre-apprenticeship courses and up to $5,000 for Certificate IV courses. For higher-level courses such as a Diploma in Nursing or a Diploma in Building and Construction, students will save more than $10,000 through the Free TAFE initiative.
“We are making training more accessible and affordable for Victorians. The increased number of students at Wodonga TAFE is showing the popularity – and importance – of the Free TAFE program,” explains Minister for Training and Skills, Gayle Tierney.
“Not only does the Free TAFE program help job seekers to find ongoing work, it also provides a steady stream of workers for industries in Wodonga with skills shortages.”
If you would like more information on the Free TAFE initiative, please contact Wodonga TAFE on 1300 698 233 and speak to one of our friendly customer service representatives.