The course includes a placement component for students, where they will get hands-on experience at local businesses.

Jactina Mannion from Mannion Drilling is looking forward to putting her hand up to be one of these placement locations.

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Mrs Mannion said she would "absolutely" take students on, and said students would most likely do work in the workshop.

"This is a good stepping stone and foundation for potential employees to come into our business," she said.

She said it was good that many skills needed to work in an industry like drilling were also being offered as part of the new course.

"White card, first-aid, forklift licence, and working at heights maybe, and this is all what TAFE is starting to offer so it's a good basic skillset to start a foundation," Mrs Mannion said.

"There's a big shortage in our particular industry and around town, and people are trying to recruit those guys coming in."

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The Gunnedah business chamber and Gunnedah TAFE celebrated the commencement of the course at a breakfast event on Friday morning.

Here, many blue collar business owners were invited to talk about the benefits the course could make to their business.

The TAFE upgrades were also discussed, which is set to be completed soon and officially open at the end of the month.