Gurmesh Singh MP

WE’RE LEADING THE WAY WITH SKILL

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said as many as 1387 Coffs Coast locals have taken up a fee-free JobTrainer course during the pandemic.

Mr Singh said it comes as NSW records more than 100,000 JobTrainer enrolments since the jointly-funded Federal and NSW Government program was announced in October.

Mr Singh said the most popular courses to study for local residents were Certificate III in Individual Support; Statement of Attainment in Construction; and Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

“It’s great to see people learning a new skill, changing their career or gaining their first qualification,” Mr Singh said.

“People of all ages are taking up the opportunity to study for free, whether they are looking to get into their first job or progress their careers.”

Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said NSW was now leading the nation in equipping people with skills, after more than half of Australia’s JobTrainer enrolments hailed from NSW.

“These strong enrolment figures show how crucial reskilling and upskilling has been during this difficult period so the people of NSW can land on their feet after the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Lee said.

Other key findings:

  • 97% of people enrolled in a course achieved their main goal for training with the most common motivation being to get a job or progress their career;
  • highest number of enrolments were from those aged 17-24 (610 on the Coffs Coast)
  • 5% of people said they achieved at least one work related benefit from the training such as improved employability, expanding skills and growing or starting their business.

NSW JobTrainer courses are available for young people, job seekers and school leavers to gain vocational skills in Australia’s growing industries. Visit: