Newcastle locals can now enrol in four new Free TAFE courses designed to prepare workers for roles in emerging manufacturing sectors. The short courses are part of a joint $157.2 million initiative from the Australian and NSW governments to build a stronger domestic manufacturing workforce.
Delivered through the TAFE NSW Manufacturing Centres of Excellence, the new courses focus on renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and foundational maths. These Centres, including one located in Newcastle, aim to help students and workers gain industry-relevant skills, particularly in the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone.
Three of the new Free TAFE courses are online Microskills that allow flexible, self-paced learning:
- Discover renewable manufacturing careers introduces students to the technologies and practices driving the sector in Australia.
- Discover advanced manufacturing careers explores innovation, sustainability, and the role of advanced methods in today’s industry.
- Maths foundations in the manufacturing industry helps learners build the numeracy skills needed for everyday problem-solving on the job.
A more specialised Microcredential, Generative design and analysis, is also available. It provides hands-on training in advanced computer-aided drafting, helping students apply design skills to real-world manufacturing problems.
The new courses are being rolled out through the TAFE NSW Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence in Newcastle, one of three campuses chosen due to their strong ties with local manufacturing industries. The Centre supports training in areas like defence, aviation, transport and resource sectors, and aims to meet workforce needs in fast-growing areas such as renewables.
“This partnership will deliver more technical and hands-on training to students across renewable energy and advanced manufacturing, with a focus on sustainable and technological innovation,” said Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan.
The new offerings are just the start. More short courses, microcredentials and training programs will be delivered through the Centres of Excellence over the next four years. Input from industry has helped shape the training content, to ensure workers are gaining practical skills that can be used immediately.
A University Partnership Panel has also been formed to work with TAFE NSW on course design and delivery. The University of Newcastle is one of ten participating institutions from NSW, Victoria and Queensland. These partnerships are expected to include access to research, facilities and potential pathways into further education.
The Centres of Excellence are part of the National Skills Agreement between the two governments and are intended to support industry areas experiencing skills shortages.
“Free TAFE is changing lives and it is building Australia’s future,” said Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles. “More Free TAFE courses, means more Free TAFE students and more Free TAFE success stories.”
