The NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Skills was in the Nambucca Shire on Monday as part of a tour around regional TAFE campuses, updating his own skills for his busy portfolio.

And far from the demoralised institution of recent years, staff at Macksville TAFE were keen to tell the minister about the record enrolments and inquiries (150 every day for the last week) as well as the recent new staff appointments (seven part-time).

Mr Barilaro said as opposed to the “lean years”, NSW TAFE was looking forward to a bright future.

“The new ‘One TAFE’ model means local campuses can develop skills sets that are relevant to their area and industries,” Mr Barilaro said.

“Plus there are innovations that go beyond bricks and mortar, with the North Coast a stand-out region for that … thanks to the passionate staff here.”

TAFE Community and Business Engagement leader, Mark Whitehead, said the Nambucca Shire’s automotive engine cluster was a good example of how collaborations with the council and community had resulted in training that would meet demands for up to 50 new jobs a year soon.

Another new service is the Aboriginal Pathways program that offers flexible study options for Aboriginal people keen to gain, update or develop employment skills.

Aboriginal Services Manager Heather McGregor said the program offered block release training so that people from around NSW could join a single course rather than trying to make up course numbers locally.

“This is a new way of  thinking about training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, which offers specific job training in a culturally aware way as well as connecting people from different parts of NSW.

“It allows Aboriginal people to study with others, who might share similar life experiences … with this common ground, it allows them to create opportunities together,” Ms McGregor said.

TAFE NSW Open Week is on until Saturday – phone 131 601.