Free online skill sets and micro-credentials under ‘isolearn’ initiative – TAFE Queensland

TAFE Queensland has launched its ‘isolearn’ initiative, providing Queenslanders with the opportunity to expand their knowledge from home at no cost.

Funded by the Queensland Government, TAFE Queensland is offering six micro-credentials and nine skill sets fee-free, enabling Queenslanders to boost their digital literacy and gain the skills required to fulfil demand across a range of essential industry sectors.

TAFE Queensland Chief Executive Officer, Mary Campbell said the free short courses – designed to enhance the employability of jobseekers, upskill workers and support the state’s economic recovery – are a demonstration of the organisation’s commitment to supporting both individuals and businesses by providing the training they need to develop their skills and secure their future.

“Quality training is incredibly valuable and the importance of upskilling is more apparent now than ever before,” Mrs Campbell said.

“TAFE Queensland offers a wide range of courses that enable people to increase their skills and enhance their employment opportunities. We pride ourselves on supporting Queensland communities, and these free online short courses will do that by helping workers to address current industry needs.”

The skill sets currently on offer are available to jobseekers and workers displaced by COVID-19 through the State Government’s Jobs Finder Queensland portal, and are targeted towards skilling eligible Queenslanders in high demand areas. These include community care, basic customer engagement, farm labour, food service, health service support, mental health peer work, assisting clients with medication, transport, and mentoring and supervision.

Meanwhile, the micro-credentials will enable any Queenslander to quickly gain essential skills in digital literacy, cyber security, digital data, data security, data analysis, and communication technologies for business success.

“Our micro-credentials will provide workers with the opportunity to develop valuable technical, digital and soft skills that will support businesses as they adopt innovation to adapt to the situation.”

The free online offerings have been well received, with over 7700 people registering their interest in the skill sets prior to enrolments commencing and more than 4800 people having enrolled in the micro-credentials to-date.

Natasha Faggotter is just one of many Queenslanders impacted by COVID-19 to sign up for a course and is currently undertaking the Customer Engagement skill set.

“I had been considering study for a while and thought this would be a great way to get a start on furthering my skills,” Natasha said.

“Having extra time on my hands I didn’t want it to go to waste and I think undertaking study is a great use of time and will be a great addition on my resume.”

In addition to the range of free ‘isolearn’ short courses, TAFE Queensland offers over 90 online qualifications across a wide variety of in demand study areas – including nursing and health, IT, business, and early childhood education and care – providing plenty of options for Queenslanders to use this time to further their skills or retrain all together.

The organisation has also transitioned the majority of its face-to-face courses to online or digital modes of delivery in order to enable students undertaking more practical courses to continue their studies by completing their theoretical units online.

“TAFE Queensland has adapted to ensure we continue to provide the skills and training Queensland needs to get through this pandemic and drive the economy as we recover,” Mrs Campbell said.

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