18 December 2018

Gunnedah Shire Council welcomes the news that TAFE will be reinstating some apprenticeship courses in Gunnedah next year. Redevelopment of TAFE facilities and the reinstatement of apprenticeship courses are on the priority list for Gunnedah in the lead up to the 2019 state elections.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said Council and Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce and Industry have been advocating strongly for apprenticeship courses to be returned to Gunnedah for quite some time.

“I welcome today’s announcement as a good first step for Gunnedah TAFE. As a growing community with many job vacancies for skilled trades, ensuring that we have the ability to retain and train our young people is critical to serving Gunnedah’s future economic growth. There is still a long way to go before TAFE services are at the required level,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Gunnedah is going ahead in leaps and bounds and it is important for the State Government to continue work to prioritise the allocation of TAFE resources to Gunnedah, to support that growth.”

Gunnedah Shire Council has plans to support the local TAFE, with more than 20 staff set to engage in apprenticeship courses in 2019, and more than 10 staff undertaking other certificate courses through TAFE.

“Gunnedah Shire Council and Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce and Industry are calling on our local businesses to get behind the apprenticeship courses and support our local TAFE, as we continue to advocate for a better deal for Gunnedah,” Cr Chaffey said.

Photo caption: Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said there is more work to do with TAFE to support the growth of the Shire.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.