As part of National Science Week, Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell said TAFE NSW was helping people in the Upper Hunter find their dream STEM careers.
Mr Layzell said TAFE NSW is highlighting the importance of young people, particularly women, taking up science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers and dispelling the myth that you need a degree to gain a well-paying, meaningful job in STEM.
“As employment opportunities continue to expand into new and interesting fields, this is an exciting time for Hunter locals to be considering embarking on their STEM career with TAFE NSW,” said Mr Layzell said.
Demand for STEM workers is projected to grow by 12.9% over the next five years, which is well above the average of all occupations (7.8%) and more than twice as fast as non-STEM occupations (6.2%), according to a National Industry Insights Report[1].
While often associated with the university sector, a report released by the Office of the Chief Scientist[2] on Australia’s STEM workforce shows that the vocational education and training sector provides more than two-thirds of Australia’s STEM workforce.
Minister for Skills and Training and Minister Science, Innovation and Technology Alister Henskens said that National Science Week is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the achievements of people across NSW.
"TAFE NSW offers dozens of courses linked to in-demand STEM skills in engineering and electrotechnology, agriculture and animal studies, information technology and cyber security, laboratory skills and chemistry,” Mr Henskens said.
“Graduates in these courses walk away with practical skills in booming industries, ready to walk into the workforce.”
Muswellbrook student Lauren Booth has completed a Certificate in Electrotechnology, a Certificate IV in Industrial Electronics and Control and is now studying the Diploma of Electrical Engineering which has greatly helped her in her role.
“The course helped me build practical skills and industry-specific knowledge, so I was able to walk straight into my new position at Hunter Valley Operations as a Washery Electrician.
“The teachers at TAFE NSW are a huge support and they’ve helped me get where I am today,” said Lauren.
For more information or to explore TAFE NSW courses, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or call 131 601.
[1] National Skills Commission, State of Australia’s Skills 2021: now and into the future, March 2022 [2] Australia’s Chief Scientist, 2020 Australia’s STEM Workforce Report, July 2020
PHOTO CAPTION: Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell gets an insight into STEM training with students at Muswellbrook TAFE.
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