Fee-free construction pathways course opens up opportunities

Tash Matthews says completing a fee-free construction course at TasTAFE has opened up more options for her future.

Tash, 25, has always had an interest in construction and was keen to return to study this year. When she saw the Certificate II in Construction pathways course on the TasTAFE website she thought it was a perfect fit. The fact that the course was offered as part of Fee-free TAFE was an added bonus.

“I think free education is really important. I know that our government and our school systems already have things in place to make TAFE accessible which is one of the great things about TAFE already, but I definitely wanted to take advantage of the free TAFE, just as someone who feels like a forever learner and always wants to be learning something.”

Tash says she found the three-month construction course empowering, teaching her a range of skills including how to work safely on construction sites and general knowledge of tools.

“The three -month duration was really convenient for me and the skills that I could learn in such a short time – it provided that bang for your buck.”

Tash describes teacher Paul Jarman as one of the best teachers she’s ever had.

“His communication is one of the other great things about him and the effort that he takes to communicate to each individual student, that’s the dream in regards to teaching and learning and education environments.”

Tash says that for now she is focusing on working in a casual job that she loves but believes that the course has set her up for the future.

“It’s a really good foundation for the future and getting a job in the trade world.

“I think that if people are nervous, they should just give it a go. The environment at TAFE is supportive, it’s an empowering course to do and it’s just really enjoyable.”

The Certificate II in Construction Pathways provides a range of foundation skills for people working towards gaining a construction apprenticeship or looking for work as a construction assistant, builder’s labourer or trades assistant. It will be offered fee-free again in 2024 and applications are now open.

Applications for 2024 Fee-Free TasTAFE courses are now open. Visit www.tastafe.tas.edu.au/fee-free to apply or find out more.

Fee-Free TAFE and vocational education is a joint initiative of the Australian and Tasmania Governments, providing tuition-free training places to students wanting to train, retrain or upskill.