The Hunter needs a TAFE New Industries Training Centre
To the Minister for Skills and Training
The Hunter needs a TAFE New Industries Training Centre.
The Hunter is getting a lot of investment in renewable energy developments, decarbonising industry, and new sectors such as battery manufacturing, green hydrogen and offshore wind. We can be a global leader in clean energy and manufacturing.
To secure this future we need a job ready workforce to fill crucial skills gaps and attract further investment. Now is the time for the government to be funding quality public vocational education. We need to create a TAFE New Industries Training Centre.
As part of TAFE this Centre can make use of existing facilities and expertise. It can create clear pathways for workers and meet the vocational training needs for renewable energy, clean technology, hydrogen and decarbonised manufacturing across NSW.
By funding a world class facility we will ensure Hunter people continue to play a key role in the NSW economy. We can prosper through the changes to our regional economy, acquire high quality skills and secure jobs for generations to come.
Therefore the undersigned call for
The establishment of a permanent and dedicated TAFE New Industries Training Centre (NITC) in the Hunter.
Funding to establish a world class facility.
Free courses for mining and energy workers.
Sponsored by
To:
To the Minister for Skills and Training
From:
[Your Name]
The Hunter is ready, able and willing to continue to contribute to Australia's future. With rising opportunities in renewable energy and clean manufacturing we can also ensure our region continues to prosper. However our TAFE system is struggling to keep up with the training needs of new industries - we need and deserve a fair share of public investment in our vocational education system.
We are calling for public investment in a TAFE New Industries Training Centre (NITC), based in the Hunter. This would create clear pathways for workers, address skills shortages, and attract investment in sectors where labour and skills significantly influence developers’ location decisions.
Established and operated as part of the TAFE system, the NITC could make use of existing and emerging expertise, provide consistent workforce development and training for a long-term growth industry, and utilise existing facilities.
Both Queensland and Victoria are commissioning training facilities to address industry shortages, to create talent pools to attract investment, and to provide training pathways for those seeking to work in renewable energy. For the Hunter to manage and prosper through structural changes in the energy sector, public investment in our vocational education system is absolutely critical.
We look forward to your support on these important matters for our region.