Gunnedah residents looking to upskill or reskill have only eight more days to express their interest for the new pre-apprenticeship course coming soon to Gunnedah TAFE.
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A pre- course screening session for potential students in the new certificate II in vocational skills, engineering and electrotechnology/automotive is being held on January 28, so all registrations need to be in by then.
Gunnedah acting mayor Rob Hooke said it was "very important" for locals to get this course going for the Gunnedah shire.
"We've got major skills shortages, and we need to address those for people to become involved. We know that in the past the chance of getting employment from these courses is very high because it shows commitment to doing the course for 12 months," Cr Hooke said.
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"I strongly recommend students apply for this - it can launch them into their future and if they decide to convert to a full-time apprenticeship then some of those courses can be taken as credit for their future direction."
Cr Hooke said the course provided "good grounding" for students to move forward on.
"It starts with foundation skills like engineering and welding, white card, forklift and we think light auto if there's enough student interest in that, and, of course, first-aid," he said.
"Through this they become a very valuable prospect for an employer to take on."
The course will run Monday to Thursday each week and qualifications covered in the course will include:
- Certificate I in Access to Vocational Pathways
- Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways
- Certificate II in Infrastructure and Resources (Engineering/mining pre-course)
- Engineering part qualification- focusing on hand and power tools, welding, and fabrication equipment.
- Electrotechnology part qualification or option to enrol in Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology
- Work placement - 2 days per week
- Statement of Attainment in General Induction to Construction (NSW Whitecard)
- Statement of Attainment in Licence to Operate a Forklift Truck
- Statement of Attainment in First Aid
Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce president Juliana McArthur said the course would also impact the shire positively, too.
"Training young people in regional areas is vital to not only the young person themselves, with their lives ahead of them, but continued and expanded economic activity, steady employment and further investment opportunities for the community," Mrs McArthur said.
"Keeping our young people working in Gunnedah will keep our town and district vibrant, with no loss of advantage to them but great advantage to many."
Any interested locals aged 17-24 should contact Gunnedah TAFE on 6742 9600 or via email at TNE-LE-CS-Gunnedah@tafensw.edu.au
Semester one course offerings are now open, and locals can enrol via the TAFE NSW website.