WORKFORCE skill gaps are the target of the Albanese Government’s fee-free TAFE program, which is proving invaluable for local businesses, Federal Member for Corangamite Libby Coker said.

Ms Coker recently met with local aged-care students on placement at VMCH Star of the Sea in Torquay, where she emphasised the importance of supporting skills and training through the fee-free TAFE program to boost enrolments.

“TAFE is one of our greatest assets for ensuring our country is well positioned for future skills challenges, and meeting those challenges will be no small feat,” Ms Coker said.

“Our government wants to ensure we have the skilled workers our economy needs, while also giving every Australian the best opportunity to secure a stable, well-paid job.

Fee-free TAFE recipient Sarbjeet Kaur said government-funded programs offering free education were a great solution to those seeking career development.

By eliminating the financial barrier, the program had helped Ms Kapur acquire the skills needed to enter the high-demand area of aged care.

“I really enjoy this job, sometimes I feel like crying when I see them (the residents), when I came here for the first time – some people are lonely if their families are not coming here,” Ms Kaur said.

“We are here for them, we care for them, we try to give everything for them,” she added.

“The full-time staff have such amazing patience to let us follow them all day, and learn from them, it’s really incredible the work they do and the effort they put in to teaching us.”

Ms Kapur expressed admiration and gratitude for the diligence that full-time staff take in training students.

Ms Coker said the fee-free TAFE program played an essential role in building a more skilled and resilient local workforce for the future to take the pressure off understaffed centres around the country.

“The Albanese Government’s investment in free-fee TAFE will support around 26,900 places in the care sector over the next 12 months, including around 3,800 early childhood education and care places,” Ms Coker said.

“This will help Victoria reach its target of 64,700 new workers in the health, education and community services sectors needed by 2025.”

The 12-month National Skills agreement is the first stage of delivering on the skills commitments in the Australian Government’s Future Made in Australia Skills Plan. It also confirms TAFE’s central role in the VET sector, increasing opportunities and workforce participation of priority groups, while addressing critical skills gaps in the economy. 

This first step complements the commitment demonstrated by all Governments to reforming the skills sector through a new five-year National Skills Agreement to commence in 2024.