Six new regional and three metropolitan TAFE NSW SkillsPoints headquarters will be established by the NSW Government, as part of its push to create the workforce of the future by collaborating with business and industry.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Skills, John Barilaro, said this initiative would ensure TAFE NSW builds on its reputation as a world-class vocational education and training provider.

Making the announcement at the TAFE NSW Queanbeyan campus today, Mr Barilaro and Assistant Minister for Skills, Adam Marshall, said the SkillsPoints are innovative hubs, which will serve as a responsive single point of contact.

"SkillsPoints are intersection points where TAFE NSW will work with business and industry to develop curriculum and training to provide Australians with the skills needed for the jobs of the future," Mr Barilaro said.

The first SkillsPoints HQ – Innovative Manufacturing, Robotics and Science – will open in Newcastle in September.

The rollout of the remaining SkillsPoints HQs in Griffith, Tamworth, Queanbeyan, Dubbo, Coffs Harbour, Ultimo, Parramatta and Mount Druitt – will be announced in coming months.

Mr Marshall said each SkillsPoints will be powered by a core team of between eight and 15 staff to meet the needs of local students and employers.

"What is so exciting about these SkillsPoints headquarters is that each location has been strategically determined to support its own region's economic growth and employment needs. So, for example, the SkillsPoints in Coffs Harbour will focus on tourism while the SkillsPoints in Griffith will focus on agribusiness," he said.

Mr Barilaro said that with regionally based headquarters and a Statewide focus, "SkillsPoints will be capable of rapidly designing and delivering training to meet the needs of established and emerging industries".

"Whether in a classroom, on-site, online or a combination of these, SkillsPoints training and resources will be tailored to industry needs and demonstrates the NSW Government's commitment to ensuring the same high-quality, industry relevant content anywhere from the city to rural and regional NSW," said Mr Marshall.

MEDIA: Frank Coletta | Deputy Premier | Marion Rannard | Minister Marshall

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