Albo and Coker celebrate student success on Bellarine visit

PRIME Minister Anthony Albanese visited the Bellarine last week to join Corangamite federal member Libby Coker in celebrating the success stories of Fee-Free TAFE graduates.

The event, held at Flying Brick Cider Co., highlighted the impact of Fee-Free TAFE on local businesses, including those in the hospitality sector.

Flying Brick Cider Co. director Lyndsay Sharp thanked the Prime Minister for visiting the Bellarine and shining a light on TAFE education.

“It’s brilliant and it is so important to so many industries,” Ms Sharp said.

“We have got a number of students here who have gone through the fee-free system.”

“Fee-Free TAFE provides the opportunity for people to discover and enter a new industry or for those in their chosen industry to enhance their capabilities.”

Mr Albanese said the government had promised 180,000 fee free places last year but delivered many more.

“We actually delivered 350,000 places last year, far exceeding our promise of 180,000, because the demand was greater than we thought.

“All over the country, I have met people who are straight out of school, doing training in aged care, nursing, hospitality, starting apprenticeships, and even retraining in new fields.”

“Because the fee-free courses are in areas of skill shortage, we know that there are jobs at the end of it.”

During the visit, the Prime Minister met with graduates who have secured local jobs.

One graduate, Kaylee, shared her story with Mr Albanese, detailing how the program helped her transition from a different industry to her dream career in teaching.

“I did my traineeship last year with VFA Learning,” Kaylee said.

“I wanted to be in schools since I was young, and it was a pathway to a teaching career I’ve always wanted. Now, I am working at a brand-new secondary school which just opened this year.”

Ms Coker praised the program’s impact. “They are hospitality graduates working here on the Bellarine, nurses in our local hospitals, those who care for the elderly, early childhood educators and horticulture

graduates who maintain our beautiful coastland,” she said.

Fee-Free TAFE allows students to pursue accredited diplomas, certificates, or short courses in high-demand fields without worrying about tuition costs.

The expanded program, running from 2024 to 2026, is supported by a $414.1 million investment from the federal government in partnership with the states and territories.