National Skills Week 2025 will be officially launched in New South Wales this Monday, August 25, where Steve Whan, Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education of New South Wales will celebrate the power of vocational education and training (VET) to transform careers, communities, and the NSW economy.
“Skills are the backbone of NSW, and we’re backing our apprentices, trainees and students this National Skills Week.” said Minister Whan.
“Every apprenticeship and traineeship completed is another win for our communities and economy. Skills open doors and training builds futures. We’re investing in both.”
“For young people exploring their future, or for anyone looking to retrain or upskill, National Skills Week is a reminder that vocational education can lead to secure, rewarding, and meaningful careers.”
In the 2025-26 Budget, the NSW Government made its largest ever investment in skills and TAFE of $3.4 billion to ensure the state has the skilled workers required to meet its economic needs.
The funding backs apprentices and trainees by making apprenticeships and traineeships fee-free, which will help achieve priorities outlined in the NSW Skills Plan 2024-28. The Plan includes improving pathways and strengthening employer and industry partnerships and better support learners, industry, the VET workforce and system agility.
Other NSW Government initiatives underway include upgrades to TAFE facilities located across the state; providing modernised and subsidised qualifications through Free TAFE; and a comprehensive review of the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001 to ensure vocational training is easy to navigate, is flexible, and matches the real-world needs of priority industries, such as construction, care and support, technology, and clean energy.
Meanwhile, latest Jobs and Skills Australia data reveals vocational education and training qualifications have been most sought after by New South Wales employers in the past year, with 50 per cent of jobs requiring a certificate II, certificate III, certificate IV, diploma or advanced diploma. It compares to 39 per cent of jobs requiring a bachelor degree or higher.
“National Skills Week provides an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on how important vocational education and training (VET) is to Australia,” said National Skills Week Chair Brian Wexham.
“Whether you are a school leaver or a worker reskilling later in life, vocational education qualifications can open the door to a satisfying and rewarding career and a lifetime of opportunities.
“The week is about highlighting the many career options available, and inspiring young Australians to explore those options to obtain the skills they need for the jobs they want.”
“New South Wales is in a period of unprecedented growth and investment, apprentices and traineeships are vital to the economic development of NSW, and we urge parents and students to investigate and seize these opportunities, explore ALL the options.”
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