TAFE NSW’s deputy regional general manager Adam Bennett reports that the Certificate II in Agriculture was the most popular course at Dubbo.

“We experienced a significant increase in interest and enrolments in the Certificate II in Agriculture course,” he said.

“This is because this is a massive growth area and there’s a skills shortage in agriculture right across NSW.

“So not only is this increase driven by industry demand, it’s also because our students enjoy hands-on learning from industry experts.

“The fact that employers trust our training, which can lead to exciting real-life employment prospects, is also a major reason for this increase.”

Mr Bennett said the Certificate II in Agriculture had overtaken the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care course as most popular in Dubbo.

He said the ever popular Certificate I in Aboriginal Language was number three in the top 10 courses at TAFE NSW Dubbo last year.

The Certificate II in Animal Studies and Certificate III in Beauty Services courses also experienced increased enrolments in 2017, seeing them move into the top 10 courses in Dubbo in 2017.

The top 10 TAFE NSW courses in Dubbo in 2017 were:

· Certificate II in Agriculture;

· Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care;

· Certificate I in Aboriginal Language;

· Certificate II in Horticulture;

· Certificate III in Carpentry;

· Certificate III in Community Services;

· Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation;

· Certificate II in Aboriginal Language;

· Certificate II in Animal Studies;

· Certificate III in Beauty Services.

Mr Bennett said in 2018 TAFE NSW was offering 1200 courses. He said enrolments were “open now”.

“With so many exciting options, and with research revealing that TAFE NSW graduates have a higher median income and employment rate than university graduates, there’s never been a better time to consider TAFE,” he said.

For more information visit tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.