Prime Minister Albanese has just announced some awesome news for future TAFE students
What better way to launch the National Jobs and Skills Summit than to reveal there will be an additional 180,000 fee-free TAFE places in 2023!
This agreement has taken place between federal, state and territory governments and will cost them a whopping $1.1 billion. It’s money well spent though (if you ask us!) as VET qualifications are a fantastic way to skill up quickly: VET courses generally take less time to complete than a general Bachelor degree (three years). They’re also more cost-effective.
Both of these factors are really important considering Australia’s current skills shortage and the super urgent need for more construction managers, civil engineers, nurses, information and communications technology business and systems analysts, software developers and electricians, according to the 2021 Skills Priority List.
Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley thinks it’s a good idea too, suggesting vocational training for STEM careers and a technology apprenticeship program. “What’s needed is a collective commitment to building high-tech skills and capabilities so all Australians can have a fair share in this future,” she told The Australian prior to the National Jobs and Skills Summit. With 3.7 million Australians needing training in digital skills in just the next year, this sounds like an excellent plan.
She also acknowledges the need for Australia to get more women and girls into STEM, as does Ed Husic, the Minister for Industry and Science. “We need to rethink education in science, technology, engineering and maths,” Ed says. “We need to call up talent and skill from a broader pool of people… Women are over 50 percent of the population – yet make up only 16 percent of people who possess STEM qualifications. Of First Nations people, only half a percent hold STEM qualifications.”
Widening the skills pipeline is a huge priority for the government, according to Ed (and as we have have seen with the announcement of the additional fee-free TAFE places), as this will provide better, more inclusive pathways for women, First Nations people, migrants, mature workers and those living with disability. Yes please!
We don’t know how many of the 180,000 fee-free TAFE places will be allocated to STEM qualifications, but watch this space and we’ll keep you posted.
Thinking of getting into STEM via VET?
We’ve got you covered over on our VET hub. This is a great place to check out if you’ve decided uni isn’t for you but you’d like jump on cool STEM study and career path anyway.
Here are some of our favourite reads:
- How to land maths jobs without a degree
- Everything you need to know about apprenticeships and traineeships
- Non-uni pathways into engineering
- Quiz: Which VET pathway is for you?
All about apprenticeships: Live webinar recording
Hear from three real-life STEM professionals who’ve kickstarted alternative study pathways through VET opportunities. We chat to network design operative Kirsty Penney, diesel mechanic apprentice Lucas O’Sullivan and structural draftsman Saverio Vasapollo.
For more on STEM + VET, check out our digital magazine, Careers with STEM: Apprenticeships and Traineeships
