Free TAFE proving popular in Victoria, with 50 priority courses on offer, including ECEC

Freya Lucas

Feb 12, 2021

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Victorian Vocational Education and Training (VET) students can choose from more than 50 priority courses and pre-apprenticeship courses including both the Certificate III and Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care as part of the popular Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative which began in 2019.

Eligible students are able to apply for courses that directly lead to the jobs that are most in demand from Victorian employers, and more than 39,700 students took part in the program in its first year, an 88 per cent increase than enrolments in the same courses at the end of 2018.

Enrolments in January 2021 were up 83 per cent on the same time last year and enquiries to the TAFE and training line in January 2021 were up 45 per cent compared with the month prior.

Work has already begun on a number of reforms to support those disproportionately affected by the pandemic, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said, creating pathways for apprentices and trainees to Victoria’s Big Build projects, providing rapid retraining for in-demand jobs and growing the workforce for new and innovative sectors, including clean energy programs.

For the full list of Free TAFE courses, visit: www.freetafe.vic.gov.au

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