Alexandra Hills TAFE offers fee-free courses for school leavers

The training is in industries like engineering, early childhood, aged care and electro-technology, the installation, repair and service of industrial, commercial and domestic equipment.

Training Minister Shannon Fentiman said that Queensland Year 12 graduates would be eligible for the free courses in the calendar year after graduating from Year 12.

Courses were available for students who enrolled in a high priority qualification within a year of leaving school.

“The … government is committed to making sure our young Queenslanders have the training and skills they need to get into work and build a career,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Training is an excellent pathway for Year 12 school leavers and this will give students a head start to their career without worrying about a VET student loan after graduating.

“Certificate III in industries such as engineering, early childhood, aged care and electro technology are on offer.”

TAFE Queensland Brisbane region general manager Paul Wilson said 243 students were enrolled so far in the subsidised courses at Alexandra Hills, South Bank, Bracken Ridge, Caboolture, Grovely, Loganlea and Mt Gravatt campuses.

TAFE Queensland SkillsTech region general manager John Tucker said 1682 apprentices were also enrolled in the subsidised courses through the organisation’s four training centres this financial year.

The most popular courses included hairdressing, early childhood education and care, education support, commercial cookery,  hospitality, electro-technology, plumbing and carpentry.

Mr Wilson said last year’s school leavers had plenty of options.

Year 12 fee-free training was available through the Certificate 3 guarantee and user choice training programs.  

Students were advised to consider training options carefully before committing to a particular course as this might exhaust entitlements to further subsidised training.

For further information visit training.qld.gov.au/whatsnext or call 1300 369 935.