Free TAFE courses have officially started at Victoria University Polytechnic, opening a new door of opportunity for students to train across a wide range of growth industries.
Commencing at VU Polytechnic on January 5, 2019, classes have already begun in Diploma of Nursing, Certificate IV in Aging Support, Certificate III in Individual Support, Certificate II in Electrotechnology Studies and Certificate II in Building and Construction (pre- apprenticeship) courses. Sixteen more Free TAFE courses will begin in February.
Students Britany Dentry-Walsh and Asma Sawiz began their Diploma of Nursing courses in January and are both excited to have been given the opportunity by Free TAFE to study towards their dream careers.
For Britany, the nursing staff and midwives she has met in her life have left a strong impression on her and her family, calling them “angels” and “silent superheroes”. She is most looking forward to completing placements in industry and learning through hands-on experience at VU Polytechnic.
“When I’m finished, I hope to get into midwifery, the double-degree midwifery and nursing. It’s a guaranteed pathway, it puts you into the 2nd year of the Bachelor.”
Asma is already considering whether she would rather be a midwife or a surgical nurse now that she has learnt more about potential careers since beginning her studies.
“Having the Free TAFE option has helped me a lot, to be the first one in my family of my siblings to go to Polytechnic – my dad went to university, but being the oldest, I guess they look up to me!”
Asma is motivated by experiences in her home country of Afghanistan, where there was a shortage of nurses, and is also looking forward to taking the pathway into the Bachelor of Midwifery/Bachelor of Nursing on completion of her course.
Free TAFE 2019 is a Victorian Government initiative designed to increase opportunities for students to study in the skill areas Victoria needs most. Students eligible for a Free TAFE course will not pay course tuition fees for the full course duration.