Blue Mountains News

The NSW Skills Plan: 2024-28 identifies construction as one of six critical skills areas forecast to experience significant growth over the next three years, with jobs in the construction sector expected to rise by 12 per cent by 2028.

TAFE NSW was the right choice for Ms Jones, 19, to develop both the knowledge and the skills she needed to launch a career as a plumber.

She said studying at TAFE NSW Kingswood had given her the confidence to overcome niggling anxiety about being a female in a male-dominated industry. Only about 1 per cent of plumbers nationally are female.

“I did have severe anxiety coming into my TAFE NSW studies about being a female but everyone has been so supportive and helpful,” Ms Jones said.

“It really is a different style of learning from school.

“TAFE NSW has also helped me build my specific knowledge and skills, especially around technical things like fluing.”

TAFE NSW Managing Director Chloe Read, said vocational education and training offers students the training and support needed for a wide range of attractive career opportunities, from construction trades and advanced manufacturing to nursing and the digital sector.

“With growing demand for skilled workers across a range of sectors, TAFE NSW is delivering the high-quality education and training our students need to succeed from day one.

“TAFE NSW training is accessible, industry-aligned, and future-focused, enabling students to graduate with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to enjoy productive and rewarding careers.”

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, said National Skills Week is a timely reminder of the critical importance of vocational education and training, both to the state economy and local communities across NSW.

“A strong vocational education and training sector is critical to delivering the practical skills that people, communities, and industries across NSW need, now and in the future.

“TAFE NSW trains around 400,000 people each year across more than 250 occupations in over 80 industry sectors, delivering the workforce needed to build housing and critical infrastructure, enable access to care and support services, support the growth of onshore advanced manufacturing, and power our transition to net zero.”

Master Plumbers NSW President Greg McElroy said high-quality training that meets the needs of industry is essential to building a workforce equipped to support demand.

“There’s huge demand for skilled plumbers right now and once you’ve done an apprenticeship, the world is your oyster,” Mr McElroy said.

“The days of tradies being those who failed at school are long gone. The modern plumber has to have the skills but also the smarts to potentially start their own business and be an entrepreneur.

“It’s great TAFE NSW is helping grow the next generation of plumbers and support the industry’s future needs.”