Steve Whan
Member for Monaro
MEDIA RELEASE
Minns Labor Government helps 1,500 more Monaro students kick-start their careers in trades and skilled industries
Thursday, 3 September 2026
More than 1,500 students across Monaro will have access to vocational education, training and career opportunities under the Minns Labor Government's $3.9 million expansion of the Educational Pathways Program (EPP) to the region.
The EPP will expand to eight new schools in Monaro including five in the Queanbeyan-Palerang area, from day one, Term 1 next year as part of the Minns Labor Government's $11.6 million statewide investment to grow the highly successful program and strengthen pathways from school into skilled jobs.
The rollout will benefit 24 new schools spread across the Monaro, as well as the Central West Orana, Camden, and Campbelltown.
Those schools will fain three dedicated staff to help design and deliver programs tailored to local industry based on the school and community's needs.
- Braidwood Central School
- Bungendore High School
- Jerrabomberra High School
- Karabar High School
- Queanbeyan High School
The EPP already operates in 183 high schools across 11 regions in NSW. It aims to introduce students to skilled careers and aligns vocational education and training (VET) pathways with emerging industry opportunities to address regional skills shortages. The program is already delivering record results, with a 30% increase in school-based apprenticeships and traineeships in participating schools across the state between 2022 and 2025. This means more students are earning while they learn, gaining a fee free, nationally recognised qualification, and building the practical skills our communities need.
The Monaro schools were identified to help address local workforce needs and skill shortages by connecting more students with opportunities in key industries, including construction, health and renewable energy.
The expansion will help build the pipeline of skilled workers needed to support major local projects like Snowy 2.0, and to support workforce growth in critical industries like renewable energy and health that are unique to the area.
The EPP provides students with expert guidance, hands-on learning in real industry settings and access to VET pathways, school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, work experience and employment.
The expansion will help ensure more local students can develop the skills that work and access pathways into industries critical to the future of the region, including construction, electrical trades, renewable energy, manufacturing and other skilled occupations.
Initiatives under the program include stronger partnerships with TAFE NSW and local industry including vocational taster courses; pre-apprenticeship and pre-traineeship courses; job readiness workshops; and support for local students to transition from schools to vocational training or employment.
Expanding the EPP is a key commitment as part of the Minns Labor Government's NSW Skills Plan to boost school pathways and VET across the state.
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:
"The Minns Labor Government is ensuring more regional students can get the skills that work and the pathways they need to get into good local jobs. The Education Pathways Program helps young people explore their options, gain real-world experience and connect with VET and career opportunities while they're still at school.
"From Bungendore to Braidwood and Queanbeyan to Karabar, the expansion will equip more students with the skills they need to pursue careers in construction, health, renewable energy and other skilled trades that are critical to the future of the region.
"We want young people to be the first in line for the opportunities being created in their own communities, including the mighty Snowy 2.0, Australia's largest renewable energy project.
"As the Minns Labor Government delivers more homes, major infrastructure and renewable energy projects across NSW, it's critical we have a strong pipeline of skilled workers. That's why we're investing a record $3.46 billion in skills, training and TAFE NSW, helping rebuild VET and connect local students with the jobs our communities and industries rely on."
