The NSW Government has today unveiled a plan to provide greater access to vocational education and training for students across regional NSW through TAFE's new Connected Learning Centres.

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Development, Skills and Small Business John Barilaro revealed the first four locations for TAFE's new, digitally enabled, next generation learning environments for students in regional NSW.

The first four CLCs will be located in Quirindi, Coonabarabran, Glen Innes and Tenterfield while eight more to be rolled out across regional NSW next year.

"This is about regional communities being given access to state-of-the-art facilities which people in metropolitan areas may take for granted," Mr Barilaro said.

"Today demonstrates again our commitment to renew TAFE NSW's teaching and learning facilities so students get hands-on skills for jobs and employers get a job-ready workforce into the future."

CLCs will be conveniently located in the heart of regional communities where TAFE NSW does not already have a presence or where outdated facilities can no longer meet the needs of students, employers and local communities.

"This is about giving young people the opportunity to learn and train and get a job without leaving town," Mr Barilaro added.

"Today's students expect that training reflects the information accessibility and immediacy of their connected lives.

"TAFE NSW is responding by delivering training where, when and how students want and in settings that resemble real-world work and social environments."

The CLC is designed as a resource for the entire community with the interior easily reorganised to suit a variety of learning and meeting needs.

A further eight are proposed for Corowa, Deniliquin, Grenfell, Murwillumbah, Scone, Singleton, Narrandera and Yamba.

Contact: Frank Coletta

Phone: 0419 181 493