Recent school leavers and Queenslanders looking to upskill or change careers are being encouraged to enrol in one of the 37,000 Fee-Free TAFE places available in 2023.
Almost all courses offered by CQUniversity (CQU) TAFE with Fee Free TAFE funding are available to Mackay residents subject to their eligibility, said CQU Deputy Vice-President VET Peter Heilbuth.
“There is a large cross section of courses available to Mackay residents in industry areas from accounting to visual arts, aged care to horticulture and many in between,” he said.
“Courses vary in their delivery type and are often a combination of online, online with work placement, online and on campus.”
Mr Heilbuth believes there will be a lot of students studying under this program who have studied before whether at TAFE or university, as the number of prior qualifications individuals hold are not a factor in their eligibility for a Fee Free enrolment.
“People who are looking to upskill for management roles would do well to look at our Certificate IV of Leadership and Management, for example, plus those who want to pursue their passion may take up the Certificate III in Horticulture or the Diploma of Visual Arts,” he said.
Federal Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor encouraged Queenslanders to make 2023 their year.
“Skills shortages are gripping the nation, and those running through Queensland reflect the specific characteristics of the state’s labour market,” Mr O’Connor said.
“It is vital that we support people locally to obtain the skills they need to fill job vacancies.”
TAFE Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mary Campbell said Queenslanders eligible for Fee-Free TAFE funding will have the opportunity to enrol in one of over 80 skill sets, certificates and diploma level qualifications currently on offer.
“Child care workers, welfare support workers, office managers and ICT technicians are all in high demand throughout Queensland, so it’s encouraging that the majority of our current enrolments are in sectors with recognised skills shortages,” Ms Campbell said.
For more information on TAFE Queensland and CQU’s Fee-Free Courses, visit www.cqu.edu.au, call 13 27 86 or visit CQU at their City or Ooralea campuses.
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Fee-Free courses are available at both Mackay City and Ooralea campuses
IT courses are some of the many being offered Fee-Free. Photos supplied
