Budget delivers strong investment in TAFE

TAFE NSW will benefit from a more than $2 billion investment in the 2021-2022 State Budget to bolster skills training and deliver a strong workforce.
There are currently around 102,000 apprentices and trainees in training in NSW, a 19.8 per cent increase from 2020.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the pandemic has demonstrated now more than ever the need for a flexible workforce.
“This investment in TAFE will help equip people with the skills they will need now and into the future,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The recently released NSW Productivity Commission White Paper highlighted the need to ensure our workforce has the skills needed to adapt to the challenges and opportunities that will emerge in a post-pandemic world.
“Today’s announcement underscores our ongoing commitment to creating jobs and cementing NSW as the best to place to live, work and raise a family.”
To help meet the booming demand, the investment will include nearly $6 million for 16 undercover training facilities for trades across the State including in Broken Hill, Kingscliff, Moruya and Western Sydney and $19 million invested in information and communication technology and other assets at campuses across the State.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said students are at the centre of the NSW Government’s more than $2 billion investment, and would benefit from continued subsidised courses, improved training facilities and an ever-expanding training footprint.
There will also be $11.4 million to continue or complete construction of Connected Learning Centres in Bateman’s Bay, Cobar, Jindabyne, Hay, Tomaree, Nambucca Heads and Byron Bay.
“TAFE is an economic engine room for the State’s skills-led recovery, training nearly 80 per cent of all NSW apprentices and hundreds and thousands of students in a broad range of courses,” Mr Lee said.
“The NSW Government’s investment in TAFE is producing highly skilled workers that will help deliver the record pipeline of infrastructure projects across the state and futureproof the workforce.”
“A strong TAFE means a strong economy and the NSW Government is backing it all the way.”