Hay locals urged to future proof their careers with TAFE
CAREER SHIFT: Hay’s Emilia Browne has made an unlikely pivot from being a McDonald’s manager to working in the booming wool industry, thanks to TAFE NSW.
Image: Supplied
By TAFE NSW
Murray locals are future-proofing their careers by upskilling in priority industries with TAFE NSW, including in the booming wool classing industry.
It comes as TAFE NSW wool classing enrolments surge statewide, with the wool industry confronting an ongoing skills shortage.
Former McDonald’s manager Ms Browne, 22, moved to Hay from country Victoria to pursue her dream of working in the wool industry. After completing the Certificate IV in Wool Classing at TAFE NSW Hay in 2022, she immediately gained employment with Willshear Hay.
“I’ve just fallen in love with the industry and to be able to study my course fee-free took a lot of the pressure off,” Ms Browne said.
“Working in this industry isn’t just a job, it’s a lifestyle, and it’s such a fast-paced, exciting environment.
“The course was so hands on and relevant to the job, and my teacher is so invested in our success that she’s become a personal mentor to me.”
TAFE NSW Chief Delivery Officer Janet Schorer said TAFE NSW was committed to delivering a pipeline of skilled workers to meet the growing demand in the Hay area.
“Monique is an example of the high-quality students TAFE NSW is training to meet skills demand now and into the future.
"Over the next 10 years, more than nine out of 10 new jobs will require post-secondary qualifications. TAFE NSW is crucial not only for the future of the Hay regional economy but also for providing people with skills for current and future job markets.
“Semester 2 is about to start, making it the perfect time to explore the range of courses at your local TAFE NSW campus. Whether you prefer online, face-to-face, or teacher-led virtual classrooms, we have study options to suit your needs,” Ms Schorer said.
