This new year, TAFE NSW is supporting Taree residents to go ‘back to school’ to gain the skills they need to step into the most in-demand occupations of 2026.
With a recent national study by Indeed showing 61 per cent of Australians are considering a career change in the 2025-26 financial year, it is the perfect time to enrol at TAFE NSW to advance your career, reskill or pivot to a rewarding and in-demand occupation.
According to new data from Deloitte Access Economics Employment Forecasts report, the most in-demand occupations in NSW over the next 12 months will be:
- Electricians
- Secondary School Teachers
- Retail Managers
- Accountants
- Registered Nurses
- Aged and Disabled Carers
- Primary School Teachers
- Civil Engineering Professionals
- Advertising, Public Relations and Sales Managers
- Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers
Registered nurses are the third-largest occupation on the Mid North Coast, and with the care and support economy named as one of six critical skills areas in the NSW Skills Plan, nursing is a key pathway for meeting current and future workforce needs in the region.
24-year-old Taree local Sarah Hervatin began her healthcare journey in 2021, completing a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance with TAFE NSW. After working in aged care for three years, Sarah returned to TAFE NSW Taree to complete her Diploma of Nursing earlier this year.
Sarah now works at Manning Rural Referral Hospital on the palliative care ward, supporting medical, rehabilitation, and overflow surgical patients as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
“I always knew I wanted to help people, and nursing felt like the right way to turn that into a career,” Sarah said. “The teachers at TAFE NSW Taree were incredibly supportive, and learning alongside experienced nurses on work placement gave me the confidence to keep going and see what I could achieve.”
Committed to supporting her local community and helping address the ongoing nursing shortage, Sarah will begin a Bachelor of Nursing next year as she continues building her career and working towards becoming a registered nurse.
With rising demand in these skill areas, the Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, is encouraging Taree residents to explore vocational education and training opportunities to future-proof their career.
“The Minns Labor Government is focused on building the workforce of the future by supporting people to gain practical, job-ready skills in industries our communities and economy need.
“TAFE NSW is leading the way in delivering skills that work – for students, employers, and communities – in the sectors linked to the top 10 occupations predicted to be in high demand this year.
“Developing and practicing the skills employers need now, and in the future, sets people up for career success in a range of high-demand industries including healthcare, construction, and early childhood education.
“Whether you’re looking to upskill in a current job, re-enter the workforce with job-ready qualifications or change industries entirely, TAFE NSW is the first step to a fulfilling, long-term career.”
Something going on in your part of the North Coast people should know about? Let us know by emailing newsdesk@nctimes.com.au