Investment in youth training and regional transport solutions were identified as two areas for improvement in the Federation area at a recent TAFE Connects workshop aimed at delivering better education and employment initiatives for the community.

Last month, Corowa TAFE hosted the Federation leg of the TAFE NSW Connects program.

The workshop invited local businesses and industry representatives for an open conversation about what is working, and what is not, when it comes to skills, training, and services.

Cr Susan Wearne was among the group who felt the workshop provided a positive conversation about what was needed in the region.

Cr Wearne said developing better access to apprenticeships and youth training was important to not lose the young or tertiary-looking students out of the area and that TAFE courses allowed students to have pathways into other programs.

“We need to develop closer school and industry connections, such as having expos where students from the local secondary school could view what options exist in the Federation area to find and continue a long-term employment pathway,” she said.

“Federation has had community industry expos before, and it was a suggested they continue.”

Transport barriers were also identified as a roadblock in enabling people to come into Corowa to take advantage of available courses.

A bus service exists between Corowa and Albury, but there is no public transport system in place to enable travel between towns within the Federation LGA.

Federation Council endorsed a proposal earlier this year to explore the possibility of an on-call public transport service between Corowa, Rutherglen, Howlong and their outlying townships that has been seen as a step in the right direction.

“There's a definite need for better transport,” Cr Wearne said.

“This is a very diverse community, and we need to find a way to best support the people from outlying areas get into Corowa.

“Council’s proposal would be of benefit; I understand it’s by appointment and not a designated route, but all of that can change if you start to get something working.”

Workshop presenter Cleveland McGhie said TAFE Connects allowed TAFE to listen to community needs, challenges, and aspirations and then deliver initiatives based on what was heard.

“We delivered this program to the eastern corridor of the Riverina Murray in 2025 ... within 12 months we delivered initiatives based on what we heard from those community groups,” Mr McGhie said.

“This year we're working with LGAs across the western corridor of the Riverina Murray to emulate what we did in the east last year.”

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Sunday, 7th March 2027

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