With Penrith gearing up for an expected growth in population in the next few decades, a strong partnership between TAFE NSW and Penrith City Council is providing a steady stream of qualified locals with skills to tackle the growing region. 

Penrith is set to gain an additional 136,000 residents by 20361, with major infrastructure projects including the Western Sydney International Airport precinct, Nepean Hospital upgrade, metro rail line and newly announced TAFE NSW Western Sydney Construction Hub expected to draw many families to the area.  

TAFE NSW is training more than 50 Penrith City Council trainees each year in Business Administration and Early Childhood Education and Care, to cater to the demand for council services. 

25-year-old Lynden Tandy (pictured right) has completed his Certificate III in Business Administration at TAFE NSW Kingswood and has since secured a full-time role at council. 

“I enjoyed the flexibility of the TAFE NSW course, which has allowed me to work at the Council while I gained my qualification and apply the practical skills I’m learning to my job,” Lynden said. 

“An average day in my job at Penrith Council involves issuing permits to construction companies and administration for approved residential developments like nature strips, curbs and gutters. Without the skills I’ve learnt in my course, I wouldn’t be able to take on tasks like these.” 

“I’ve felt really supported by TAFE NSW teachers and my traineeship co-ordinator at Council. It’s great to know that employers care about our professional development and are nurturing our skills.” 

TAFE NSW Regional General Manager, Michael Cullen, said there has never been a better time to complete a fee-free traineeship, funded by the NSW Government, that combines on-the-job training with formal study to give students the skills and experience employers are looking for. 

“The strong training partnership TAFE NSW has with Penrith City Council is giving locals the opportunity to receive hands-on, practical training they can apply to a meaningful job serving the greater Penrith community,” Mr Cullen said. 

“TAFE NSW is well positioned to support industries and businesses through flexible and customised training to meet specific business needs.” 

Penrith Mayor, Ross Fowler OAM said Penrith City Council has operated a successful  traineeship program with TAFE NSW for two decades. 

 “The Council’s traineeship program helps foster an educated and skilled local workforce across a range of industries,” Councillor Fowler said. 

 “With a diverse range of opportunities to come from the future Western Sydney International Airport, we need to make sure our community have the skills they need to meet employer needs, now and in the future.” 

Under the NSW Government’s fee-free apprenticeship and traineeship initiative, the government will pay the course cost for 70,000 new traineeships for businesses. 

TAFE NSW offers customised workplace training options for businesses that are flexible, modern, and delivered by industry experts. To find out more about how TAFE NSW customises training for businesses visit, www.tafensw.edu.au/enterprise or call 1300 045 737. 

Media Contact: Jessica Cortis, Media and Communications Business Partner, 0456 170 211.