Job seekers should turn, in order of fastest growth, to project building, early childcare, caretaking, property management or work as a supply and distribution manager if they want to hear the words, ‘you’re hired’.

The growth areas are forecast for the next three years, TAFE NSW regional general manager Adam Bennett said.

“Tamworth and the greater North West has a high skill shortage rate, an ageing population and a number of large investments in the region – all key factors that will open the doors to many exciting potential employment opportunities,” he said.

“With the construction and development of a number of new and improved health care facilities and the region being identified as a renewable energy hot spot, this will continue to generate increased demand for skilled workers.”

Employment is forecast to grow by 1440 jobs, and youth unemployment is set to fall 18.7 per cent for 15 to 19-year-olds, and just over 10 per cent for those aged 20 to 24.

In a record-breaking state budget, more than a quarter of a billion dollars was allocated to projects in the New England North West. growing job opportunities.

At least $68.5 million went to redevelop the hospital in Inverell in this year’s state budget, and $84 million was invested in the New England Highway.

Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said the state government will invest $1.77 billion in TAFE NSW to boost vocational education and training to create the skilled workforce needed for the future.

“Across the state we are investing $285 million to deliver 100,000 free apprenticeships – and fuel continued job opportunities,” he said.

What’s distinctive about the Tamworth and North West data, is the focus on renewable energy, TAFE NSW’s Mr Bennett said.

New England has been identified as a hot spot in the state government’s plan to make it the ‘renewable capital of NSW’.

If it goes ahead, the proposal would see solar, wind farms and hydro projects concentrated in the region – a state government report says it could generate 4000MW of wind energy and 12,000MW of solar.

Mr Anderson said it’s the result of years of hard work in the renewable sphere.

“We have been identified by the state government’s energy minister and the department as a renewable region – and with good reason given we have mountains for windfarms and plenty of flat country for solar,” he said.

There are now more than 1200 courses available at TAFE NSW, with the goal of the research to shape courses that fit new employment opportunities.

Many of the training courses already fill gaps for growing professions in Tamworth.