10 January 2019

According to Deloitte Access Economics web development is forecast to be Australia’s fifth largest employment growth area over the next three years in the information and communications sector.

Nowra resident Ash Hudson, who shares her time between a young family and providing meals for the homeless in Nowra, has positioned herself to make the most of the opportunities set to crop up in the booming industry.

She combined her TAFE NSW business and web design qualifications to spark up a local business helping other companies increase their online presence.

Just a few years ago owning a web design business was something Mrs Hudson admits she had never have imagined herself doing. However, after completing an online TAFE NSW Certificate IV in Business and a Certificate IV and a Diploma in Web Design at TAFE NSW Nowra, she has the skills and knowledge to grow her own venture, Hudson Web Solutions.

“I build and maintain websites, keep them updated, create newsletters and blogs,” Mrs Hudson said.

“I’m working with small to medium businesses owners in the region who sometimes just need someone techy to help out.”

While she never considered herself to be overly “techy”, she enjoyed working with computers and was attracted by the industry’s forecast growth and the potential to work from home.

Being able to study online through TAFE Digital meant Mrs Hudson was still able to devote time to her family and other pursuits.

As her experience and understanding grew it meant she had the skills and knowledge to run and grow her own web design business.

“Before I enrolled at TAFE NSW I had no idea about coding,” Mrs Hudson said.

“The teachers at TAFE NSW Nowra broke it down and then helped me to understand as the complexity increased. They taught me the skills to do this job. Now I’m proud to say I can code!

“TAFE NSW helped build my confidence. Two years on I’m still in contact with my teachers and consider them industry colleagues.”

After working on a few friends’ websites she decided to put her name out there and start her own business.

“It grew from there into a fulltime job,” she said.

To find out more about studying Information Technology at TAFE NSW or to enrol for semester one 2019, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.

Media contact: Adam Wright, TAFE NSW Media Officer, 4421 9895, mobile 0466 375 552.