Our local TAFE college plays a vital role in skilling people such as Nick Richard to compete in these events, and I commend the New England Institute for the excellent training it provides across a wide range of subjects, including certificate III in hospitality and commercial cookery. TAFE allows young apprentices to learn and develop their skills locally then in many instances go on to make their mark in workplaces around the world. Nick Richard began the certificate III in hospitality at the Ryde campus of TAFE in 2000 before relocating to the New England Institute in 2001. He successfully completed his commercial cookery off-the-job apprenticeship training in June 2002.

The Tamworth campus tourism and hospitality unit is the New England Institute's commercial cookery training venue for all cookery apprentices. The unit educates and trains apprentices from across the New England and northwest region. Students come from as far away as Walgett in the west, Tenterfield to the north, and Scone and Muswellbrook in the south, and there are 55 commercial cookery apprentices currently enrolled. The commercial cookery apprenticeship qualification is delivered two days per fortnight as a block release to meet the growing needs of the region's hospitality industry. This model reduces the amount of time spent on the road for young apprentices who need to travel long distances. The 2½-year course provides practical extension skills and enhances the students' theoretical know ledge as they are guided by their industry mentor through the apprenticeship.

Ellen Scanlon, Senior Head Teacher Tourism and Hospitality at Tamworth TAFE College, told me that as a country institute they are very mindful both of the costs to students and their duty of care. TAFE is to be commended as this course is both user friendly and successful. Nick Richard's success in his chosen career is a credit both to himself and to his teachers from Tamworth TAFE. He joins many other successful graduates who have completed the course. The Tamworth campus tourism and hospitality unit is proud of its current and past commercial cookery apprentices. Former students now featuring as executive chefs and chefs within a variety of venues regionally, in metropolitan areas and overseas.

Current apprentices and graduates have earned many State and national cookery awards through various industry competitions, including from the New South Wales Restaurant and Caterers Association and Worldskills, plus the prestigious Golden Chef's Hat Award, which was awarded to Jamie Exman, past executive chef of the Tamworth Powerhouse Hotel. Several former apprentices have come home after years of enhancing their culinary skills. Some are involved in teaching cookery apprentices at the TAFE campus, where their own training began. The certificate III in hospitality is just one of the areas in which the New England Institute of TAFE is using innovative programs to meet the needs of its students and provide skilled graduates with help to meet the nation's skills crisis.

In 2007 20,553 students participated in New England Institute of TAFE courses, 8,132 of them at the Tamworth campus. Projections for 2008 indicate a 4 per cent increase on last year's record results. The New England Institute of TAFE has successfully developed e-learning, with 1,200 students now enrolled in 46 subjects. These online programs benefit rural and remote students in particular, with 140 students enrolled for the certificate IV veterinarian nursing. All the students currently work in clinics, and studying on line meets their work requirements, allows their workplace competency to be checked by their supervisors and only requires three two-day workshops in Tamworth for practical skills. These programs are being constantly extended, developing flexibility in education and delivering nationally recognised qualifications.

As part of developing a trade school at the Tamworth TAFE college the New South Wales Government has provided $2.2 million for the auto and auto electrical unit and $3 million for the electro technology unit. This is a much-appreciated and sensible investment in local educational facilities. Committed students such as Nick Richard, dedicated teaching staff and a TAFE institute that is prepared to try innovative concepts are the right ingredients to develop a well-trained workforce that will continue to address workforce skills shortages.

Private members' statements noted.