Upskill for free: The government’s plan to bolster the workforce

The government’s plan to plug skills shortages involves our nation’s TAFEs, as well as underrepresented groups.

The Fee-Free TAFE campaign has been announced by the government, which aims to provide more opportunities to upskill the Aussie workforce, especially for people from marginalised backgrounds.

The government commented on the initiative: “This is good policy for jobs, good policy for people looking to train or retrain, and good policy for businesses, which need more skilled workers. Today, we have 70,000 fewer apprenticeships and traineeships compared to 2013. At the same time, it’s getting harder and more expensive to go to uni.”

“The proportion of applicants who get an offer of a place at university has fallen every year ... This year, the offer rate fell to its lowest level in years. This has happened in the face of the stark economic reality that nine out of 10 jobs of the future will require a VET qualification or a university degree,” said the government.

“Around the country, Australian businesses are experiencing critical skills shortages; at the same time, there are one and a half million Australians who are either looking for a job or want to work more hours.”

The program prioritises those who traditionally face barriers in the workforce, encouraging participation, such as:

• First Nations Australians
• People who are out of work or receiving income support payments
• Unpaid carers
• Women facing economic insecurity
• Women undertaking study in non-traditional fields
• People with disability
• Young people (17–24)
• Certain categories of visa holders.

In partnership with state and territory governments, the federal government’s $1 billion 12-month Skills Agreement aims to deliver 180,000 Fee-Free TAFE and vocational educational places.

The latest campaign is raising awareness for the free courses being offered by TAFEs across the country, with the Commonwealth investing $414 million into the initiative.

The ongoing plan will see an additional 300,000 places added in 2024–26, with the hopes of plugging skills gaps in the Australian workforce. Those who complete these courses can upskill, reskill, improve job prospects, and gain sought-after skills.

Some of the areas candidates can study include:

• Aged care, childcare, healthcare and disability care
• Technology and digital
• Hospitality and tourism
• Construction
• Agriculture
• Sovereign capability, for example, defence and manufacturing industries
• VET workforce.

“Fee-Free TAFE will help rebuild industries hit hardest by the pandemic, like hospitality and tourism, as well as meet current and future needs in the care economy, including jobs like child care, aged care, disability care, nursing and community services,” said the government.

“It will also provide more opportunities for apprentices and trainees and fill skills shortage gaps like those in trades and construction, resources, digital and cyber security, new energy and advanced manufacturing. Fee-Free TAFE will provide opportunities for school leavers, workers wanting to retrain or upskill, and unpaid carers – who are predominantly women – to get back into the workforce.”