Earlier this year the Victorian Government announced they were offering free TAFE courses for high priority areas, but many don’t realise that Queensland also offers fee-free arrangements for school leavers.
Introduced in 2014 as fee-free arrangements, the Queensland Government has now rebranded the offering to “free training for Year 12 graduates” which applies to nearly 160 priority qualifications and includes traineeships and apprenticeships.
The $30 million boost to education was introduced by training and skills development minister Shannon Fentiman.
“Free TAFE for Year 12 graduates is a great opportunity for those who want to follow a path in any number of careers, including hospitality,” Ms Fentiman told Beenleigh State High School students at their annual Paddock 2 Plate lunch.
“That’s why we’re investing in initiatives like free TAFE to ensure we have the skilled workers we need to fill the jobs for the future.”
Getting on board
Eligibility is simple: You must have completed Year 12 in Queensland and enrol with an approved training provider by 31 December the year after graduating. The new funding began back in July and will be available until 30 June 2020.
The free training arrangement is a win for the manufacturing, automotive and engineering industry who are keen to attract the next generation of talent and bridge the skills gap in the Australian labour market.
The Advanced Skills for Advanced Manufacturing identified the key factors behind the rapid emergence of skills shortages in manufacturing, including:
- The sectors aging workforce, which has also been seen in other occupations such as truck driving. This creates a looming demographic transition for skilled workers
- The highly specific nature of manufacturing skills, which spans across a wide sector (food products, machinery and equipment, heavy transport equipment, plastics and chemicals to name a few) creating difficulty for workers moving between shrinking sectors into growing sectors
- The need for new skills and ongoing training as companies adopt advanced manufacturing techniques and new digital technologies
By introducing free courses in manufacturing, the QLD Government hopes to address these very issues.
Manufacturing, engineering and automotive specific courses
- Certificate III in Automotive Manufacturing Technical Operations – Bus, Truck and Trailer
- Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Trailer Technology
- Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
- Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade
- Certificate IV in Engineering (Higher Engineering Trade)
- Certificate III in Manufacturing Technology
The Drake Group is committed to the continued skills development of our experienced team, which is why we run an extensive apprenticeship program. Fostering a new generation of talented designers, manufacturers and service technicians will ensure The Drake Group stays innovative in a continually evolving landscape.
Contact The Drake Group today to find out more about how we can keep your business moving.
