Professional development

Queensland Year 12 grads urged to “step up to skills study” and pursue ECEC

Freya Lucas

Jan 28, 2020

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Queensland Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman is encouraging Queenslanders who have recently finished Year 12 to “consider the exciting careers vocational education and training can lead to”, such as early childhood education and care (ECEC).

Those in the state who are under 21 can take advantage of a range of free training initiatives on offer in a variety of industries and sectors, including ECEC.

“We want to make sure all young Queenslanders have access to world class training that will lead to a successful and exciting career,” Ms Fentiman said.

“So far more than 16,000 students have taken advantage of free training through our free apprenticeships for under 21s and free tafe initiatives since August 2018.”

The free programs on offer form part of a significant investment in the VET sector by the Queensland Government, which has committed to spending $1 billion annually which supported almost 240,000 students in 2019.

“Last year more than 22,500 Year 12 students achieved a Certificate qualification while they were still at school, giving them a head start before they even graduated,” Ms Fentiman said, encouraging those 37,000 Year 12 graduates still thinking about what to do in 2020 to “consider the fantastic opportunities available at Tafe”.

To take up free TAFE, 2019 Year 12 graduates must enrol and start training in one of the 172 eligible qualifications by the end of 2020.

All Queenslanders under the age of 21 are also eligible to take up one of 139 apprenticeships and traineeships for free – this will mean employers won’t have to bear the training cost to take on an apprentice or trainee.

The State Government’s Take on your future advertising campaign will continue this year to attract more young people and employers to the apprenticeship program.

Further information on the Queensland Government’s support for vocational education and training can be found online here, or readers can call 1300 369 935 or the free apprenticeships hotline on 1800 210 210.

For TAFE Queensland enrolments contact 1300 308 233 or visit the website, here.

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