Professional development

Queensland Government commits to free ECEC training for under 25s

Freya Lucas

Mar 30, 2021

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Queensland Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer attended Southbank TAFE last week to promote the progress made in the Palaszczuk Government’s $100 million Equipping TAFE for our Future plan.

The plan offers people under 25 years of age the chance to train for free in 165 priority qualifications, including early childhood education and care (ECEC), to support not only skill development in the State, but also to provide employees for in demand sectors and industries. “Since January this year, expanding free training to all Queenslanders under 25 meant that 37,000 more young people have become eligible to enrol in these qualifications, through Free TAFE or Free Apprenticeships,” Ms Farmer explained. “This allows young people to focus on their studies and working without the worry of training debt.” The Free Apprenticeships initiative is designed to encourage more businesses to sign up apprentices and trainees without the burden of training costs, and covers “traditional trades” in construction, electrotechnology, resources, automotive, engineering and other options in childcare, community services, hospitality, laboratory science, beauty and hairdressing. For more information on the Queensland Government’s training subsidies visit www.desbt.qld.gov.au/training/training-careers/incentives.

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