MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has today welcomed changes to vocational education and training which will provide more access to subsidised training for students who have existing qualifications.
The changes were announced by Skills Minister John Barilaro, who said the State Government was helping students to retrain and take advantage of the changing economy, and ensuring people with higher-level qualifications were not disadvantaged or locked out of reskilling opportunities.
Mr Marshall said the changes were very good news for people in the Northern Tablelands looking to upskill or re-train
“I’ve been contacted by many in the community who were concerned about their ability to access affordable TAFE courses to continue their training and re-train in a different field to gain employment,” Mr Marshall said.
“I’m very pleased the Minister has responded to these concerns by removing this impediment and providing greater access to subsidised training for students who have existing qualifications.
“This adjustment means more people can access high quality, affordable training so they have the skills for the jobs of the future, and employers have a skilled workforce.”
Mr Marshall said that under the changes, from the start of next year, students with a Certificate IV or higher qualification will be able to access subsidised training at the Foundation Skills and Certificates II and III levels, provided the course is on the Skills List.
“Based on the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NEVER) data, this policy adjustment is set to benefit more than 30, 000 students across the state who want to reskill,” Mr Marshall said.
The NSW Government is investing $2.3 billion in to vocational education and training that will support over 510,000 enrolments this financial year.
More information available at http://www.training.nsw.gov.au/