Anthony Albanese and Chris Minns announce TAFE Centre of Excellence in Newcastle

By HOLLY FISHLOCK

More than $60 million will be invested by the state and federal government's over the next five years for the Hunter Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence.

The Centre will be established at the TAFE NSW campus at Tighes Hill, and will look to boost the workforce needed to support the renewable energy industry in the Hunter and across the state.

Once up and running the centre will have a training capacity of approximately 450 students annually.

It will provide education and apprenticeships in renewable energy, offshore wind, hydrogen, and related manufacturing fields for the region's workforce.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says there needs to be a plan for the future.

"It's important we invest in new industries, and that we invest in the capacity of workers to be able to fill jobs in those industries."

Meanwhile, NSW Premier Chris Minns says it's important young people have the skills needed to participate in the renewable energy industry.

"We all see an exciting opportunity for the next generation, right here in Newcastle."

The launch of the facility comes after an advanced manufacturing centre of excellence was announced for Western Sydney.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing the Centre of Excellence

State Labor Commits to Bring Manufacturing Back to The Hunter

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A Domestic Manufacturing Centre of Excellence could be on the cards for The Hunter if Labor wins the state election.  

NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns, was joined by Shadow Minister for Transport Jo Haylen, local MPs Tim Crakanthorp, Sonia Hornery, Yasmin Catley, and Jodie Harrison, and Candidate for Lake Macquarie Stephen Ryan, for the announcement at Downer EDI's Glendale factory this morning.  

$42.7 million has been pledged, to help develop three advanced manufacturing centres of excellence in NSW, including one in the Hunter. 

The party plans to bring bus, rail and ferry manufacturing back to the region, whilst giving TAFE a much-needed boost, and providing a new fleet of local jobs following the closure of power stations and other local manufacturing enterprises. 

Chris Minns said manufacturing done overseas has proven costly and ineffective long-term. 

"There is a proud tradition of train building in the Hunter; it's been happening in this region for over 100 years. I firmly believe that Australians are world-leaders when it comes to engineering and manufacturing," Mr Minns said. 

"My message to the voters of NSW is clear; we can build trains in NSW, but it does require a change of government. We're going to the people of NSW with a changed direction. We recognise this is a big undertaking, as there hasn't been a government in this state for a decade that wants to buy local and back local, and it means we do need to have an investment in vocational training."

The Labor Leader didn't confirm how new manufacturing works will be paid for, but said the Opposition was opposed to more privatisation in the sector.

University Of Newcastle Announces International Hotel School

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The University of Newcastle has announced plans to open an International Hotel School, in order to address job shortages within the region's tourism and hospitality industries.  

The program will allow TAFE students undertaking an advanced diploma, to partner their studies with a bachelor's degree in Hospitality, Tourism and Events. 

It comes in line with a national shortage of more than 400,000 jobs in the sector, and a 30% shortage in the region alone. 

Pro Vice Chancellor of the College of Human and Social Futures Professor John Fischetti, said the expansion of Newcastle airport will bring about the need for more industry workers. 

He also said jobs in the sector should be guaranteed, given the shortage. 

"We believe we now have a seamless pathway, with placements each semester in-industry, so this is a very practical, hands-on degree. It will prepare you to run your own business, to work for a major hotel chain, work on a cruise ship, or to help scope out the major new eco-tourism and other things happening in the Hunter," Professor Fischetti said. 

There are currently about 30 students enrolled in the program, with plans to expand the degree to 150-200 students, and potentially establish a physical hotel in the city. 

"This would allow students to work in the University of Newcastle hotel to be able to do their work-integrated learning. Either way, all of our students will be placed in industry partnerships from the beginning, all the way through their degree," Professor Fuschetti said. 

New equipment for animal care courses at Kurri Kurri TAFE

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Kurri Kurri TAFE is set to receive $27,598 for new learning tools and equipment for animal care.

The money will cover a new blood analyser machine, a hydraulic table, and other medical and animal grooming equipment.

The investment hopes to help the sector meet a skills demand, with courses for veterinary nurses, pet groomers, and animal attendants. 

It's part of a $100 million investment by the State Government.

TAFE NSW Animal Care and Management Head Teacher Susanne Turnbull says the new technology will help students be ready for the workplace.

“The medical equipment enables students to undertake safe and realistic hands-on practise of core vet nursing skills from blood tests to dental scaling and polishing,” Ms Turnbull said.

“Thanks to this new equipment, TAFE NSW Kurri Kurri can now look to offer new courses such as pet grooming and the Diploma of Veterinary Nursing in the future.”

Work to Start on $3 Million Trade Workshop in Scone's Town Centre

BY ISABEL EVERETT

The State Government plans to expand TAFE facilities in Scone with the construction of a $3 million trade workshop, and mobile training storage facility.

The announcement is the latest pledge in the campaign for the Upper Hunter by-election. 

The workshop will be built at the town's Connected Learning Centre, offering courses such as wool classing, horticulture, small motor maintenance, welding, animal studies, chemical skill sets, agricultural fencing, and chainsaw operations. 

“It'll deliver hands-on skills and meet industry demand for practical training and the mobile facility will extend training in agribusiness across the Upper Hunter," Deputy Premier John Barilaro said on Thursday. 

The announcement follows the sale of Scone's TAFE campus to Racing NSW. 

Racing NSW CEO, Peter V'landys says the sale means the workshop can offer training in new fields, while they operate the TAFE Campus as an equine training facility. 

"No ones got anything to be frightened about, if anything they should be excited that this is going to be expanded dramatically," he said. 

"We knew that the number one career path here is thoroughbred racing, and we've got a shortage of staff. We've had to bring in staff from the Philippines in track work riding, so we've got a skill shortage, this will fix that." 

Construction of the new facility is projected to commence in late 2021 to support course delivery during Semester 2 2022.

Calls for TAFE to Resume Online Learning, With Hunter Apprentices Forced to Travel to Sydney

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Hunter business owners are calling on TAFE NSW to revert back to online learning for their apprentices, who are currently required to travel to Sydney to conduct some of their studies.

Hunter New England Health Officials have issued a warning to locals not to travel to the city unless absolutely necessary amid concerns about the further spread of COVID-19.

Branden-Lee Woseen is an apprentice at 'Classic Motorcycle Restoration' in Gateshead, with his course run in a specialized building in Sydney, which not available at the local Hunter TAFE.

During the initial stages of the pandemic he moved to online learning to carry out his studies.

He says on June 24th, TAFE began to return to face to face classes in Ultimo, Sydney, a move Mr Woseen says he understands.

"Online learning wasn't too effective because my course is very hands on, so once it died down we started classes of eight, and now we're back to larger class sizes."

However Mr Woseen says he would now like to see classes move back online, as the number of Covid-19 cases in Sydney begins to rise.

"TAFE said they were monitoring the situation, with the majority the of people in my class from Sydney." 

17 new cases of Covid-19 were diagnosed in NSW on Monday, mostly linked to clusters in the city.

Mr Woseen's boss, Graeme Studdert says he required his apprentice to under go a Covid-19 test, and receive a negative result before he was allowed to return to work this week.

"You know I'm in a high risk area, I'm in my 60's and two of my other men, ones 67 and ones 63, we're all taking medication of some sort, so we're potentially in a high risk area and I just don't want to take the chance."

Owner of Brisan's Motorcycles in Islington, Nick Stevens, has 6 or 7 apprentices currently travelling down to Sydney for their studies, and is also calling for a return to online learning.

He says apprentices shouldn't be sent into high risk areas unless absolutely necessary.

"They have been doing some lessons remotely leading up to now and its unprecedented times, I cant see why they cant continue to do the same until we've got the all clear."

"We're certainly not forcing our apprentices to go to TAFE, we're just going to advise them to contact their teachers, and at this stage make their own decisions in terms of whether they'd like to go."

"But from a business stand point we're not really comfortable with them going to Sydney and potentially coming back and infecting other staff."

TAFE NSW is yet to provide a comment.

Image Credit: Sydney Morning Herald

City of Newcastle Offering Free Training for COVID-19 Business Recovery

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Small business workers in Newcastle can now access free accredited online training courses in a City of Newcastle initiative to help businesses get back on their feet.

Provided by TAFE NSW, the University of Newcastle and Novaskill, the 14 training programs on offer focus on areas such as customer behaviour, social media marketing, leadership skills and financial management.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says the initiative will help local businesses which have suffered from slow economic activity even after the worst of the pandemic had elapsed.

“This training is targeted at providing local businesses and their staff with an ongoing benefit during the recovery phase and beyond, as the economy returns to a ‘new normal’ state," Cr Nelmes said.

“By upskilling our local workforce and empowering people to learn, we can help provide a sense of positivity and support for the business community as they work to recover from this period of extraordinary economic and social disruption.”

Enrolments are open at each of the three participating organisations for anyone who works at a small business in the Newcastle LGA which employs 20 staff or less - however, each student is only eligible to complete one of the training packages.

Novaskill General Manager Amanda Saunders says the initiative would help support small businesses in "difficult times" now and in the future.

“By offering Newcastle business owners and their staff meaningful development opportunities for the future, we are creating ways to keep everyone engaged and prepared for navigating the ‘new normal’ we are all now facing.”

Image credit: www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au

More Hunter Apprentices Attending TAFE

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Enrolments across the Hunter's TAFE locations are already on the rise, one month after free apprenticeship funding kicked in from the state government.

There's been a 15% spike in student numbers in the Hunter and Central Coast compared to the same time last year.

It comes after Treasurer Dominic Perrotet announced a $285 million investment over six years to finance the fees of 100,000 NSW apprentices - funding which kicked in on July 1.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald visited TAFE'S Maitland campus yesterday, saying there's high demand for vocational workers.

"There's a very good mood on campus," he said,"numbers are up - a very clear message I got from the visit is that trades are in demand because of all the infrastructure, commercial and residential developments going up."

Scot MacDonald meets TAFE staff and apprentices from the Painting program.