Tasmania will get 410 new fee-free TAFE places in the housing and construction sector, the federal government has announced.
Skills Minister Andrew Giles made the announcement during a visit to Launceston on Tuesday, saying the new places will help build a skilled workforce to meet the state’s housing demands.
“We know we’ve got so much to do to build the skills Australians and Tasmanians need,” he said.
“Nine out of ten jobs in the future require a post-skill qualification. I think Australian families understand that.
“What they’ve also got to understand, though, is that half of those jobs don’t need a degree, they need a trade qualification.”
Giles said the new places will provide cost-of-living relief for young apprentices and others looking to join the industry.
“It’s also important that we’re delivering a skilled workforce that can build the homes that Tasmanians need,” he said.
“Whether we’re talking social housing like here in Rocherlea or we’re talking private dwellings and rentals right around Tasmania, we need skilled tradies to get on the tools and to deliver these homes for everyday Tasmanians.”
The new places are part of the National Skills Agreement between the federal government and all states and territories.
Tasmania has already filled more than 6,000 fee-free TAFE places, the highest uptake in the country.
