Adelaide 36ers partner with TAFE SA

The Adelaide 36ers have partnered with TAFE SA to shine a light on the affordable, quality vocational education and training opportunities on offer in South Australia.

With the growth in demand for skills in current, new and emerging industries, the importance of addressing skills shortages and increasing South Australia’s skilled workforce has never been more important. TAFE SA plays a critical role in helping industries facing skill shortages and supporting people wanting to train, retrain or upskill.

With 285 courses on offer at 30 campuses and training locations across the state, TAFE SA’s expert lecturers ensure graduates are skilled and job-ready.

The new partnership will see TAFE SA aligned to the Adelaide 36ers’ Tradie and Defence Rounds, which highlight key growth sectors for South Australia. TAFE SA will also be a key partner of the Indigenous Round in NBL26 and will support a clinic hosted by the Adelaide 36ers for people of diverse abilities.

“We are delighted to have entered this partnership with the Adelaide 36ers, one of the state’s most popular sporting teams,” said TAFE SA’s Executive Director for Operations, Graham Rix.

“The partnership provides the opportunity to promote the pathways that exist for the future workforce in South Australia, raising awareness of TAFE SA programs throughout the community.

“We have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion and having recently launched our new Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, we’re looking forward to being part of the club’s initiatives for the NBL26 Indigenous Round.

“We’re also pleased to be supporting a diverse abilities clinic to be hosted by the club, which aligns with our approach to providing an inclusive learning environment.

“The Adelaide 36ers and TAFE SA staff and students have much in common. All demonstrate an enormous amount of skill, commitment and hard work as they passionately follow their career goals.”

Adelaide 36ers Chief Executive Nic Barbato said the partnership would also provide opportunities for players and staff to further their education via TAFE SA courses.

“There is a real synergy between the Adelaide 36ers and TAFE SA through our shared values,” Mr Barbato said.

“The Adelaide 36ers are always striving for on court excellence while making an impact in the community through inclusion, engagement and creating opportunities for all.

“By partnering with TAFE SA, we will use the Tradie and Defence Rounds to highlight key sectors that will drive South Australia forward and the opportunities that exist for people to be trained or upskilled to work in trades and the defence industries.

“We also see great opportunities to work with TAFE SA in the Indigenous Round and in the provision of inclusive diverse abilities clinics.”

Minister for Education, Training and Skills, Blair Boyer said, “As an average amateur basketballer myself, I am incredibly excited about the opportunities that the TAFE SA and Adelaide 36ers partnership will bring.” 

“Over the next five years, the state will need about 78,000 VET qualifications to meet industry skill needs so we need to be innovative in the way we attract people into these jobs. 

“The Tradie and Defence Rounds will highlight that we need to train 16,000 additional technicians and trade workers across priority sectors including construction, defence, space, advanced manufacturing, and carbon neutral energy and resources – and that they are well paid and sought after careers.”

TAFE SA was named Australia’s Large Training Provider of the Year in 2024 at the Australian Training Awards.