The Albanese and Minns Governments are partnering to invest an additional $9.8 million to train Vocational Education and Training (VET) teachers, as part of the NSW TAFE Paid to Learn program (PTL).
Under the National Skills Agreement (NSA), the Australian and NSW Governments will match funding of $4.9 million each, aimed at strengthening the VET workforce.
The PTL program recruits skilled professions from high-demand industries and supports them in completing the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, the required VET teacher qualification.
Participants receive financial support while undertaking the accelerated, 14-week training program, before transitioning into teaching roles at TAFE NSW.
Giving the people of NSW the skills they need requires dedicated, qualified teachers and PTL results have shown nearly 100% completion and retention rates, so we're expanding the program.
This investment will double the number of participants studying the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, qualifying up to 136 new VET teachers in 2025. It will also expand into priority areas such as net zero and essential care services and to regional areas including Wagga Wagga, Tamworth, Dubbo, and Broken Hill.
Since launching in 2022, the PTL program has delivered strong results, with:
- 267 graduates now employed as TAFE NSW teachers, achieving a 96% retention rate
- Over 71,000 additional teaching hours delivered
- 48% of participants based in regional NSW
- 6% of participants identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
The NSA, which commenced on 1 January 2024, is a five-year partnership between the Australian Government and state and territory governments, aimed at unlocking $30 billion in funding and strengthening the VET sector.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles MP:
"The Albanese Government is putting TAFE at the heart of the vocational education and training sector after years of neglect under the Liberals.
"To deliver high quality training, you need great teachers, and the best teachers have experience in their field. That's what this funding is about - giving the NSW TAFE workforce a shot in the arm so we can get more people into classrooms and workshops quickly.
"This funding will also help to provide opportunities to more people in regional and rural NSW to sign up and start sharing their knowledge and skills with the next generation.
"I look forward to continuing work with NSW Skills Minister Steve Whan to create a world-class VET sector."
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan MP:
"Paid to Learn fast-tracks industry professionals into teaching roles and addresses skills shortages by increasing the number of qualified VET teachers in critical sectors.
"This investment is an important step in future-proofing the TAFE NSW teaching ranks and ensures equal access to quality education and educators across NSW.
"We're delivering on our commitment to grow and support TAFE teachers by expanding teaching staff and hours to alleviate the strain on existing teachers."
