Bendigo TAFE students among the first to graduate from free TAFE courses

About 20 students now have a Certificate III in Individual Support with many of them also securing jobs during their six month course.

Steven Blundell and Carolyn Jardine were two people who completed the course.

Mr Blundell was a territory manager for a multi-national before starting his own massage business while Ms Jardine is a former writer and teacher.

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Both signed up for the course when they heard of the free TAFE program.

"It's been a wonderful course," Ms Jardine said. "It was very intensive over the five months but we have learnt an amazing amount of skills in that time.

"I felt exposed to the aged care industry when my mum needed services. I thought I had skills over my life that I can bring to this position to continue to care for people."

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Mr Jardine said it was an odd feeling to return to the classroom after so many years away from school.

"It was really good. I was a little nervous at first (to be) going back to school. It's been a long time since I've done that. But the course was fulfilling," he said.

"A lot of (massage) clients I have are elderly and I was interested in doing something tied to what I was doing. This gave me the opportunity to understand them better."

Minster for Trades and Skills Gayle Tierney said the free TAFE program took away a financial barrier for many students.

"Some students are getting an opportunity they thought they might never get," she said. "These graduates are working toward making sure out most vulnerable are well look after."

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