1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:03,000 Speaker 1: And we know that enrollment numbers are on the rise 2 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:08,160 Speaker 1: for Charles Darwin University's TAIFE, already surpassing last year's total 3 00:00:08,200 --> 00:00:12,160 Speaker 1: budget by almost fourteen percent. There has also been a 4 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:17,120 Speaker 1: significant increase in Indigenous student enrollments, marking up or making 5 00:00:17,200 --> 00:00:20,960 Speaker 1: up almost twenty four percent of those currently studying at TAFE. 6 00:00:21,040 --> 00:00:23,960 Speaker 1: Now joining me on the line is Charles Dowen University's 7 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:28,760 Speaker 1: pro Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of TAIFE, Michael Hamilton. 8 00:00:28,840 --> 00:00:30,560 Speaker 1: Good morning to you, Michael. 9 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:33,760 Speaker 2: Good morning Katie, and good morning to everyone listening today. 10 00:00:33,960 --> 00:00:36,840 Speaker 1: Mate, this seems like a great news story. So those 11 00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:40,840 Speaker 1: TATHE numbers are on the rise, talk us through them. 12 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:45,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, Look, we've seen a good rise across well, pretty 13 00:00:45,760 --> 00:00:47,960 Speaker 2: much the whole of the taste, but in particular in 14 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:50,879 Speaker 2: those regional and remote areas. And so we've put in 15 00:00:50,880 --> 00:00:54,280 Speaker 2: a concerted effort to really lift our profile in those 16 00:00:54,840 --> 00:00:58,040 Speaker 2: remote and regional areas, just to ensure that you know, 17 00:00:58,040 --> 00:01:00,960 Speaker 2: we're not the University of Darwin, the University of the 18 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:01,840 Speaker 2: Northern Territory. 19 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:05,800 Speaker 1: And tell me in terms of you know, like in 20 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:09,800 Speaker 1: terms of the enrollments, how does it compare to previous years? 21 00:01:09,520 --> 00:01:12,200 Speaker 1: And you know what, like how the numbers sort of 22 00:01:12,400 --> 00:01:14,120 Speaker 1: looking if you break them down. 23 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:16,960 Speaker 2: So if you if you really want to get you 24 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:19,959 Speaker 2: dig into the metrics. Our prenise numbers are up. That 25 00:01:20,120 --> 00:01:22,640 Speaker 2: is really good news for the Northern Territory because we 26 00:01:22,720 --> 00:01:25,280 Speaker 2: know we need more tradees, we know we need more 27 00:01:25,319 --> 00:01:29,280 Speaker 2: professionals across the Northern Territory and our businesses are stepping 28 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:32,679 Speaker 2: up and they're investing in territorians and our so apprentice 29 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:34,760 Speaker 2: numbers they've already been strong for a few years, but 30 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:37,160 Speaker 2: they're up about ten percent this year. So that's a 31 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:41,840 Speaker 2: really solid effort out in the regions. Like I mean, 32 00:01:41,880 --> 00:01:44,720 Speaker 2: we talk about growth across the territory of fourteen percent, 33 00:01:44,760 --> 00:01:47,840 Speaker 2: well every regions up at least twenty percent, and if 34 00:01:47,840 --> 00:01:50,800 Speaker 2: we go out to East Arnham region actually up closer 35 00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:55,040 Speaker 2: to sixty percent increase, which is wonderful. Now our First 36 00:01:55,120 --> 00:01:59,440 Speaker 2: Nations engagement because we're going into the communities were you know, 37 00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:02,800 Speaker 2: we're engaged doing First Nations people in their town and 38 00:02:02,880 --> 00:02:07,360 Speaker 2: so it's actually up thirty five percent. We've engaged one 39 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:11,160 Speaker 2: six hundred and fifty First Nations people this year and 40 00:02:11,240 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 2: I mean that's impressive numbers. But the most important thing 41 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:16,919 Speaker 2: is that these are people, and we're going and we're 42 00:02:16,919 --> 00:02:19,639 Speaker 2: meeting them on their turf and we're providing a service 43 00:02:20,080 --> 00:02:22,280 Speaker 2: that we are you know, we're working these things out 44 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:27,679 Speaker 2: with those local communities around the opportunities for employment, micro enterprise, 45 00:02:27,919 --> 00:02:31,560 Speaker 2: all of those things that are relevant to that community specifically. 46 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:35,079 Speaker 1: That is a great thing. Are there initiatives as well 47 00:02:35,080 --> 00:02:38,079 Speaker 1: in place to sort of link up students with employers 48 00:02:38,120 --> 00:02:40,560 Speaker 1: once they've completed their trade or their apprenticeship. 49 00:02:41,760 --> 00:02:44,960 Speaker 2: So we did a late last year we did a 50 00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:48,160 Speaker 2: project in Central Australia at Central Australian Hubs. There are 51 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 2: seven communities that we worked with there and we worked 52 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:54,960 Speaker 2: with those communities around and with an ordn territory government 53 00:02:55,440 --> 00:03:00,840 Speaker 2: around the best opportunities for employment and we provided some 54 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:05,120 Speaker 2: very niche training in health, also in construction and also 55 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:08,080 Speaker 2: in civil construction and we engaged. It was about one 56 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:11,560 Speaker 2: hundred one hundred students that lived in those communities and 57 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:13,640 Speaker 2: thirty five of them picked up jobs out of it. 58 00:03:13,680 --> 00:03:16,079 Speaker 2: And I think that in a remote area, that's an 59 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:20,080 Speaker 2: outstanding result. They were short and sharp one week. I 60 00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 2: think they got the requisite skills, went to the to 61 00:03:23,880 --> 00:03:25,200 Speaker 2: and got local employment. 62 00:03:25,639 --> 00:03:27,560 Speaker 1: That's I mean. I think it's a really good thing. 63 00:03:27,680 --> 00:03:30,280 Speaker 1: And fundamentally what we want right is for you know, 64 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 1: whether you're in a regional location, whether you're in a 65 00:03:33,520 --> 00:03:36,440 Speaker 1: remote location, whether you're in an urban area of the 66 00:03:36,480 --> 00:03:39,120 Speaker 1: Northern Territory, you want to see young people and mature 67 00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:43,720 Speaker 1: students obviously getting engaged in a trade or an apprenticeship 68 00:03:43,760 --> 00:03:48,200 Speaker 1: and then ultimately ending up with a meaningful job. 69 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:53,480 Speaker 2: One hundred percent. You know, we're here to service the 70 00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:55,920 Speaker 2: Northern Territory as a whole, you know, and the whole 71 00:03:55,960 --> 00:03:59,480 Speaker 2: idea of establishing the TAKEE two and a half years 72 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:03,560 Speaker 2: ago was how we could best service industry and that 73 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:09,680 Speaker 2: was through providing flexible, responsive products that really embedded people 74 00:04:09,720 --> 00:04:10,520 Speaker 2: in those industries. 75 00:04:10,840 --> 00:04:14,480 Speaker 1: Michael, tell me what trades are most in demand. I 76 00:04:14,520 --> 00:04:16,360 Speaker 1: know you and I have spoken about this before. 77 00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:21,440 Speaker 2: Tell me which ones electro technology, So electricians are going 78 00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:25,479 Speaker 2: through the roof. We will have over five hundred electrical 79 00:04:26,360 --> 00:04:31,000 Speaker 2: apprentices this year. Wow. That we're really lacking is electrical teachers. 80 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:33,280 Speaker 2: So if there's any Sparky's out there that you know, 81 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:35,440 Speaker 2: you're just getting a little bit sick of bean in 82 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:37,800 Speaker 2: the sun, we would love to talk to you about 83 00:04:37,839 --> 00:04:39,800 Speaker 2: becoming an electrical teacher. 84 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:43,000 Speaker 1: But you paid as much to teach us what you 85 00:04:43,040 --> 00:04:44,719 Speaker 1: do when you're out there on the tools. 86 00:04:45,480 --> 00:04:49,080 Speaker 2: Ah, well, that's all way to challenge we do. We 87 00:04:50,160 --> 00:04:52,560 Speaker 2: pay our staff well, now we have to, you know, 88 00:04:52,720 --> 00:04:55,440 Speaker 2: and they are our greatest assets and so we do 89 00:04:55,520 --> 00:04:57,960 Speaker 2: want to invest in them. But of course they're also 90 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:02,440 Speaker 2: the best asset for industry as well, and totally acknowledge that. 91 00:05:02,520 --> 00:05:03,919 Speaker 2: But still come and see us anyway. 92 00:05:04,279 --> 00:05:08,200 Speaker 1: Absolutely, will you want those you want those experienced trades 93 00:05:08,279 --> 00:05:12,200 Speaker 1: they're teaching everybody else coming up through the ranks. So 94 00:05:12,640 --> 00:05:15,320 Speaker 1: our electrician, any others that are quite popular at this 95 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:17,039 Speaker 1: point in time or most in demand. 96 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:20,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, so, plumbings on the rise, it's up sixty percent. 97 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:27,480 Speaker 2: Refrigeration is another one, heavy d's or mechanics they've always 98 00:05:27,560 --> 00:05:29,799 Speaker 2: sought after. I don't know if you like getting oil 99 00:05:29,839 --> 00:05:33,040 Speaker 2: under your fingernails, Katie, but it's a great trade and 100 00:05:33,320 --> 00:05:36,960 Speaker 2: lots of opportunity in the Northern Territory. Health is on 101 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:40,000 Speaker 2: the rise. They're having a cracking year. They've doubled their 102 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 2: numbers two Yeah. Ah, good, well it is. It's good 103 00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:44,160 Speaker 2: for the territory here. 104 00:05:44,480 --> 00:05:46,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's the thing. Oh mate, Look, I'm not much 105 00:05:46,560 --> 00:05:49,640 Speaker 1: of a trades personal trades assistant. I think i'd be 106 00:05:49,680 --> 00:05:50,640 Speaker 1: a little bit useless. 107 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:53,400 Speaker 2: Well, I we need you on the radio because you 108 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:56,160 Speaker 2: keep on everyone honest and giving us all that information. 109 00:05:56,320 --> 00:05:57,160 Speaker 2: Is great, that's right. 110 00:05:57,200 --> 00:06:00,440 Speaker 1: I'll stick to what I know. Oh well, I always 111 00:06:00,480 --> 00:06:03,880 Speaker 1: find it really interesting, you know, to look at what 112 00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:06,680 Speaker 1: he is in demand, but also you know, to look 113 00:06:06,720 --> 00:06:09,240 Speaker 1: at what's happening when it comes to trades. So it 114 00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:11,400 Speaker 1: is wonderful as always to talk to you before I 115 00:06:11,440 --> 00:06:14,000 Speaker 1: let you go. There are different areas of demand in 116 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:16,760 Speaker 1: some of our regional locations as well. 117 00:06:17,920 --> 00:06:21,360 Speaker 2: It's a great question. Civil construction is a big one. 118 00:06:22,120 --> 00:06:26,520 Speaker 2: Conservation land management is also very very prominent out in 119 00:06:27,480 --> 00:06:32,680 Speaker 2: regional and remote areas. Health's always been a little bit challenging, 120 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:36,359 Speaker 2: but with the new Center of Excellence for Regional and 121 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:40,719 Speaker 2: Remote Essential Care Services, I think you'll see some shifts 122 00:06:40,760 --> 00:06:42,919 Speaker 2: there in the future. And we'll probably talk about that 123 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:44,159 Speaker 2: again another day. 124 00:06:44,360 --> 00:06:48,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, it sounds well, it sounds good, and Michael, as 125 00:06:48,520 --> 00:06:50,640 Speaker 1: I say, I really like to sort of hear more 126 00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:53,960 Speaker 1: about what is happening around the end, particularly when you 127 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:57,840 Speaker 1: talk about those trades at Charles Dalwen University. It sounds 128 00:06:57,920 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 1: like you guys have got a lot happening at the 129 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:02,520 Speaker 1: moment at the Trade School with the Tape School. 130 00:07:02,520 --> 00:07:07,200 Speaker 2: I should say, yeah, and we've just finished. Well, when 131 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:09,679 Speaker 2: I say I've just finished, we've almost finished our first 132 00:07:09,760 --> 00:07:12,600 Speaker 2: round of graduations for the year, you know. And there 133 00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:15,240 Speaker 2: has been a couple of thousand people graduating that time, 134 00:07:16,440 --> 00:07:18,720 Speaker 2: which is really cool. And we've got tomorrow night in 135 00:07:18,880 --> 00:07:21,320 Speaker 2: Katherine we'll be there doing a graduation. 136 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:22,280 Speaker 1: How good. 137 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 2: Interesting. We're going to have eleven thousand students through the 138 00:07:26,640 --> 00:07:29,600 Speaker 2: TAFE this year, which is really cool, and three thousand 139 00:07:29,640 --> 00:07:31,680 Speaker 2: of those will be first Nation students and I'm really 140 00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:32,280 Speaker 2: proud of that. 141 00:07:32,360 --> 00:07:35,320 Speaker 1: Yeah. Good stuff. Well, wonderful to talk to you this morning. 142 00:07:35,400 --> 00:07:37,200 Speaker 1: It is always good to catch up and find out 143 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:39,800 Speaker 1: how things are going at the Tape C do you 144 00:07:40,120 --> 00:07:43,840 Speaker 1: pro Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the Tape Michael Hamilton. 145 00:07:43,960 --> 00:07:46,760 Speaker 1: Good to have a chat with you today. Thanks Katie, 146 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:48,600 Speaker 1: thank you, thanks so much for your time.