TAFE NSW and the Institute of Applied Technology – Construction (IAT-C) are now offering fully subsidised construction training to help workers in Forster, New South Wales, gain new skills for free. Starting in February 2026, local builders and labourers can access these short courses to help meet the high demand for new housing and infrastructure projects in the region.
The program is part of a wider effort by the NSW Government to address a shortage of tradespeople across the state. These courses focus on modern building techniques, such as sustainable construction and digital project management, which are increasingly needed for local developments like the Forster Main Beach Masterplan (MidCoast Council).
Residents can choose from bite-sized microskills or longer microcredential certifications that typically take six to eight weeks to complete. According to TAFE NSW, these places are fully funded under the NSW Fee‑free TAFE program — subject to eligibility and availability — meaning eligible students do not have to pay tuition fees to participate.
Training is delivered online and through TAFE NSW Great Lakes (Tuncurry campus), allowing people to study while they continue to work on-site. IAT Construction designed the curriculum in partnership with industry experts to ensure the lessons match the specific needs of today‘s building sites.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of Australia as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know here. You're part of the process.
