BY the end of last month, one thousand, one hundred and fifty-nine people in the Ballarat area had enrolled in Federation TAFE\u2019s free courses for 2020.<\/p>\n
Twenty-year-old, Alexander Dixon is one of these students, currently completing the tertiary institution\u2019s free Certificate II Automotive course.<\/p>\n
Having experienced some panel beating work, his job provider directed him to the opportunity, and without this free course, Mr Dixon may not have had access to this level of education in an area he\u2019s come to love.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I didn\u2019t get told about there being a free TAFE course, I wouldn\u2019t have thought about going to do automotive through TAFE at all,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means a lot to me to be there. Most of the jobs I\u2019ve had, I haven\u2019t loved. To find something that I enjoy, that won\u2019t burden me with expense, and it\u2019s not too far away, it\u2019s a really good feeling.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyone should do free TAFE if they have the chance. It\u2019s been life changing for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Based at Federation TAFE\u2019s SMB campus, Mr Dixon feels well supported in his practical learning.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love the hands-on work, and I didn\u2019t think I would enjoy this career so much. When I need help, there are people willing to help me.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe teachers aren\u2019t just in basic automotive. We have a small engines engineer, a diesel expert, and even a teacher that worked in Formula 1, so they can help you with anything,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
As a result of his performance, Mr Dixon was offered a job trial with JCB Ballarat.<\/p>\n
\u201cUp there I did very heavy diesel work, working on farming equipment like backhoes and diggers. I enjoyed it a lot more than normal automotive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Member for Buninyong, Michaela Settle said TAFE is producing the \u201cnext wave\u201d of critical employees.<\/p>\n
\u201cFederation TAFE is playing an important role in providing a pipeline of essential healthcare workers, such as nurses,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s also helping re-train those facing unemployment and underemployment as the state moves towards COVID-19 recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BY the end of last month, one thousand, one hundred and fifty-nine people in the Ballarat area had enrolled in Federation TAFE\u2019s free courses for 2020. Twenty-year-old, Alexander Dixon is one of these students, currently completing the tertiary institution\u2019s free Certificate II Automotive course. Having experienced some panel beating work, his job provider directed him […]<\/p>\n