Free online TAFE attracts thousands of QLD job seekers

For those who were previously employed in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, and who are looking for a new career path following COVID-19 related job losses, or for those who are seeking to use time away from work to expand their skill set, the free online TAFE courses provided by the Queensland Government are proving popular. 

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said there are already more than 7,000 enrolments across 15 free online TAFE courses offered through the new Jobs Finder portal, which has been developed to support Queenslanders to broaden their skills so that they can explore job opportunities in high demand areas. 

Courses that support industries such as health, food service, community care, digital literacy and cyber security are available, with IT programs and healthcare programs in high demand. 

Digital literacy and data analysis have been the most popular, Queensland Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman said, with enrolments in community care and mental health also sought after.  

Natasha Faggotter was stood down from her student services role due to COVID-19 and is now undertaking the Customer Engagement skills set, something she has been interested in previously. 

“Having extra time on my hands I didn’t want it to go to waste and I think undertaking study is a great use of time and will be a great addition on my resume,” she said. 

As well as supporting applicants with new qualifications, the Jobs Finder portal connects those who have lost employment with new opportunities, with over 4,000 Queenslanders registering to participate in the last fortnight alone. 

“We are aiming to remove barriers to employment and this new skilling opportunity is one way we can help Queenslanders find a job or even start and grow their own business once the economy recovers,” Ms Fentiman said. 

The 15 free online courses are:

• Aged and Disability Carer
• Customer Engagement
• Farm Work including Pest and Weed Management
• Food Service
• Health Support

• Medication Assistance
• Mentoring and Supervising
• Mental Health and Peer Work
• Transport (Driver)
• Digital Literacy

• Cyber Security
• Communication Technologies for Business Success
• Digital data Essentials
• Data Security Essentials
• Data Analysis Essentials

To access the portal, please see here. Information is also available on the TAFE Queensland website, here.