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    Media Release

    TAFE NSW Bathurst | 21 April 2026

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    ​​Youth Week shows Year 10 equivalent courses support youth futures​

    ‘Before starting the course, I wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to take, but TAFE NSW helped me figure that out.’

    Laci Petford, TAFE NSW Bathurst graduate.

    This year Youth Week was 16 to 26 April. TAFE NSW invited young people who have left school without completing Year 10, to explore alternative education options.

    TAFE NSW offers a range of courses for early school leavers who may prefer an adult learning environment, including the Certificate II in Career Preparation.

    This provides a recognised Year 10 equivalent qualification and helps students to develop essential literacy, numeracy and work skills in a supportive learning environment.

    TAFE NSW Bathurst graduate Laci Petford wears a yellow blazer over a purple top. She is smiling and standing confidently at the camera against a black curtain background.

    While ABS data reveals that the Year 7 to Year 12 retention rate in New South Wales rose slightly to 81.3 per cent in 2025, up from 79.9 per cent in 2024, it highlights an ongoing need for flexible learning options for students who step away from mainstream schooling.

    TAFE NSW Executive Director of Equity, Foundation Skills, Aboriginal Culture and Languages, Vicky Mazzeo said TAFE NSW’s alternative pathways courses play a critical role in helping young people get back on track.

    “Not every student’s journey through school is the same, and that’s okay,” she said.

    “If a student doesn’t thrive in the traditional school system, there are other high-quality education options available. Finding the right learning pathway that suits individual needs helps young people across NSW to re-engage with study in a way that works for them.

    “TAFE NSW provides inclusive, supportive pathways that meet students where they are. These pathways are designed to support them in moving forward with confidence.”

    TAFE NSW Bathurst Certificate II in Career Preparation graduate Laci Petford said the course helped her build her confidence along with social and professional skills in a small group.

    “The practical learning style at TAFE NSW really suited me. I have since secured a traineeship as an Insurance Broker at NLT Insurance.

    “Working in a small, supportive group made it easier to build my confidence, and I developed skills I now use every day in my traineeship,” Laci said.

    Course graduates can transition into further study, apprenticeships or other employment, with many gaining the motivation and capability needed to take the next step in their careers.

    For students looking to explore equivalent study for Years 11 and 12, TAFE NSW offers a Certificate III in Pathways to Further Study and the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation.

    For more information on courses providing high school equivalent qualifications visit our website

    Media contact: Emma Curtis, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 02 7920 5000.

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