I love TAFE!

And so do people in my communities on the NSW South Coast.

So today, on National TAFE Day, I want to send a shout-out to my local TAFE campuses at Nowra, Ulladulla, Batemans Bay and Moruya.

And to the TAFE Teachers and staff, local employers and TAFE communities that make our TAFE great! Thank you.

As a TAFE Teacher myself for over a decade before entering Parliament, I’m acutely aware of the difference that TAFE can make in people’s lives.

TAFE offers wonderful pathways for people of all ages to explore career directions and pursue their interests.

To prepare for that job or to upskill.

To complete apprenticeship training.

With TAFE, the possibilities are endless.

That’s why I’m delighted to be part of the Albanese Government that understands the importance of TAFE.

Our Fee-Free TAFE in skill shortage industries, like construction, hospitality, aged care and more is making a massive difference and I’m pleased to say we’ve seen numbers boom in these courses.

And that is good for local employers and our communities.

In fact, we’ve already seen over 214,000 enrolments occur under Labor’s Fee-Free TAFE policy so far.

And we’re working with the States and Territories to provide a further 300,000 Fee-Free TAFE places from next year.

On a recent trip to TAFE, I was told quite bluntly by a student, if it wasn’t for Fee-Free TAFE I wouldn’t be here.

So, where could Fee-Free TAFE take you?

Happy National TAFE Day!