A variety of job-ready courses are being offered by the University of Tasmania at a discount to help Tasmanians upskill or start new career pathways.
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The courses are being subsidised by 50 to 100 per cent by the Commonwealth as part of its Higher Education Relief Package, with the fee balance eligible for the HECS-HELP scheme.
Courses are available across many fields including education support, small business, creative arts and health, equipment design and project management, agribusiness, science, and university preparation.
UTAS Vice-Chancellor Rufus Black said these courses would support training for critical sectors of the workforce.
"We are conscious of the challenges people are presented with when they lose their jobs. The courses will provide people quickly with the skills they need to get another job," Professor Black said.
"Whether it's to change the sector they are working in or to skill-up - that's what these job-ready certificates are for.
"For those who have not engaged with higher education before, we have a university preparation certificate which is completely free.The other [courses] vary between $1200 and $2000."
In other news:
Lifeline Tasmania chief executive Debbie Evans welcomed the fact one of the courses being subsidised was the Undergraduate Certificate in Counselling.
"It's really clear there is a link between financial security through employment and the ability to be productive in our community, and mental health and resilience," Ms Evans said.
"COVID-19 had a significant impact on our Tasmanian community, particularly on our young people working in tourism and hospitality, and its very important to assist our Tasmanian community to get back into employment and to build that sense of hope for the future."
Ms Evans said Lifeline's national 24/7 hotline had seen a 30 per cent increase in calls during the pandemic, 50 per cent of which were related to COVID-19.
"Please call if you are struggling," she said.
Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said investing in mental health and wellbeing, such as through offering the discounted counselling course, was a key aspect of recovering from COVID-19.
"People have suffered financial stress, job losses and all the anxiety and worry around that - there is a need to be supportive," Mr Rockliff said.
Students can enrol in the courses now with the first intake in Semester 2 this year, starting July 13.
For more information visit UTAS's job-ready certificates website.
- Lifeline: 13 11 14