More than 50,000 Australians each year will gain the benefits of industry-led digital training with a new TAFE Centre of Excellence opening at the Institute of Applied Technology – Digital at TAFE NSW Meadowbank.
In a joint initiative, the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments are investing $11 million into the Centre to strengthen Australia’s digital and technology capability, providing practical digital skills training to students shaped by industry needs and helping employers access a pipeline of digitally skilled workers.
Building on the success of TAFE NSW’s Institute of Applied Technology – Digital pilot, the Centre will:
- upskill and reskill students and workers in cybersecurity, AI, big data, cloud computing, and software;
- expand the skills pipeline by supporting priority cohorts including women, culturally and linguistically diverse learners and First Nations students;
- offer flexible delivery including on-site and online training to support regional and remote cohorts across the state and the country;
- work with industry, universities and small and medium-sized businesses to deliver applied research and practical solutions to real world digital workforce challenges; and
- deliver microskills, microcredentials, vendor certifications, and accredited qualifications across the digital skills domain.
This investment is part of the Albanese Government’s $325 million in funding to establish a national network of up to 20 TAFE Centres of Excellence under the National Skills Agreement with states and territories.
This builds on the Minns Labor Government’s record $3.4 billion investment in TAFE and skills, ensuring the state’s training system continues to deliver modern, industry-aligned training in critical skills areas.
More information on TAFE Centres of Excellence is available on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.
Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
“TAFE Centres of Excellence are designed to ensure Australians can get the skills they need for good secure work into the future.
“Australia’s vocational education and training system must remain agile and keep pace with technological change and evolving job roles – work that our Government is doing with industry, training providers and others in the sector.
“By working closely with the Minns Government in backing this project, our new TAFE Centre of Excellence here at Meadowbank will strengthen Australia’s digital capability and boost pathways into skilled digital jobs.”
NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan:
“This investment reinforces the role of TAFE NSW as a leader in delivering innovative, industry-focused training, in high-demand skills areas.
“The Institute of Applied Technology Digital – National Centre of Excellence builds on a proven skills delivery model, providing opportunities for students and workers to gain the digital skills that work for communities and industries.
“By working closely with industry and university partners, we are ensuring training keeps pace with technological change delivering job-ready graduates.”
Member for Bennelong, Jerome Laxale:
“It’s an exciting day for our local community. Playing host to this new, national TAFE Centre of Excellence will supercharge the work already being done by TAFE NSW Meadowbank to ensure students here and across the state get the skills they need for the future.
“Over the coming years and decades the global demand for technology skills will skyrocket – the Albanese Labor Government is ensuring that students can remain ahead of the pack by benefitting from the best of digital and AI skills training, right here in our community.”