TAFE NSW has collaborated with TikTok Australia to promote vocational careers and encourage young Australians to pursue opportunities in trades. This initiative, known as ‘Tools of the Trade’ on TikTok with TAFE NSW, took place on the Haymarket campus of TAFE NSW in Sydney. It consisted of workshops, creator meet-ups, and talent showcases to turn online activity into career interest.
TikTok creators demonstrate trade skills and discuss their career journeys with students.
The campaign aligns with the NSW Government’s strategy of modernising the approach to promoting vocational education. The partnership aims to make trading a desirable and innovative career choice by leveraging social media to reach students where they spend their free time.
Launching of the Scroll to Skill Campaign
The ‘Scroll to Skill’ idea was also introduced to enable students to translate their online interests into skills in the TAFE programs. It puts a strong emphasis on the increased role of TikTok in shaping the education and career decisions of young Australians. The event will bring together creators and students in live demonstrations, trade challenges, mentoring, and more.
The Minister for NSW Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, explained this in terms of a new attitude towards skills promotion. He claimed that TikTok has become a digital toolkit for transforming passion into a profession, and he added that the partnership represents a new approach to reaching the next generation of tradespeople.
Influencers: Creating Real Trade Pathways
The event featured some of the most popular TikTok creators who have a large following due to their content related to trades. Some of them were Yana Marks (@sydneyplumberchick), who encourages women to consider joining the plumbing industry; Will Green (@cutsbygreeny), a barber who shares his professional experience; Ali “Chebbo” Chebbani (@chebbo), a food entrepreneur; and Bon Wong (@__fayun), a floral designer.
Both artists proved that professional talents could be transformed into practical professions and artistic forms. Their involvement was an indication of how social media platforms can be used to advertise technical training and dismiss the old-fashioned stereotypes of trades. The emphasis on authenticity ensured that young people who attended related to the stories presented by the career.
Resolving Skills Shortages and gender Gaps
Australia continues to experience a shortage of qualified workers in various trades, including plumbing, construction, and the electrical field. By conducting this campaign, TAFE NSW will persuade more students, including women, to consider these professions. Currently, women comprise a tiny proportion of skilled tradespersons, particularly in the fields of plumbing and electricity.
The program allowed opinion figures such as Yana Marks to show that these professions are not only within reach of women. The initiative is a subset of a broader state initiative aimed at enhancing workforce engagement and pipeline skillsets to meet industry demands.
Event Details and Participation Event Service
This service provides all the essential information needed to manage and follow the event once it begins, such as the schedule, list of speakers, and registered attendees.
The event, Tools of the Trade, was held on October 7, 2025, and was open to students aged 16 and older, and those aged 13 and older with parental permission. The TAFE NSW Haymarket two-hour program was a combination of live demonstrations, question-and-answer and practical challenges.
Creators also provided participants with an opportunity to understand career choices, training, and how job education may ensure career stability in the long term. It was a free event with a public that took an interest in transforming their interests towards creativity into professional skills.
The campaign uses TikTok’s platform to connect with young audiences and promote trade education.
Closing the Digital Divide and Digital Dialectic
The partnership between TAFE NSW and TikTok represents a new approach to education that bridges vocational training and digital platforms. It enhances real-world learning by incorporating short video content and real-world workshops to facilitate practical learning using relatable stories. This strategy will enable TAFE NSW to connect with the populations that may not be accessing the conventional career guidance platforms.
The initiative also supports the development of national interests by promoting trade as a key component in Australia’s economic development. By bypassing the obstacles of the labour market, TAFE NSW will be able to remain relevant to younger generations and respond to market requirements through continued collaboration with tech platforms.
More Comprehensive Educational Plan
The NSW Government’s broader education strategy has included digital preparations to bridge skill gaps and advance vocational opportunities. Such campaigns as Tools of the Trade are supplementary to the work of apprenticeship programs and scholarships to boost trade enrolments. The plan aligns with the national objectives of developing an effective and sustainable workforce.
The subsequent campaigns can be diversified into other markets, such as manufacturing, automotive, and hospitality. The officials perceive the social media partnerships as a long-term method of enhancing the interactions and rebranding the perceptions of practical professions.
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Final Thoughts
The TAFE NSW and TikTok collaboration is an illustration of how vocational training can change the way it communicates. The initiative can bridge the gap between digital and real-life opportunities by connecting the influence of social media makers and education providers. It provides a viable solution to the current trade shortage in Australia, while also transforming the perception of young Australians towards vocational occupations.
FAQs
1: What is “TikTok’s Tools of the Trade with TAFE NSW”?
It is a live event and awareness campaign where TAFE NSW and TikTok creators collaborate to promote careers in trades. The program features workshops, demonstrations, and mentoring sessions aimed at encouraging young Australians to explore vocational education.
2: When and where did the event take place?
The event was held on 7 October 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the TAFE NSW Haymarket campus in Ultimo, Sydney.
3: Who is eligible to attend?
The event was open to participants aged 16 and above. Young people aged 13 and older could also attend if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
4: Was there any cost to attend?
No. Attendance was completely free for all participants.
5: Which creators took part and what trades did they represent?
TikTok creators Yana Marks, Will Green, Ali “Chebbo” Chebbani, and Bon Wong participated. They represented fields such as plumbing, barbering, food entrepreneurship, and floristry.
6: What is the campaign’s goal?
The campaign aims to encourage young Australians to consider trade-based careers, address skill shortages in New South Wales, and promote vocational education as a valuable career path.
7: Why is TikTok involved in promoting trades?
TikTok is being used as a modern communication channel to reach younger audiences. The platform helps share authentic stories from creators who have built successful careers in the trades sector.
8: How does TAFE NSW benefit from this collaboration?
TAFE NSW gains access to a wider audience and uses the platform to connect with young people who may not have considered traditional trade education. It allows the institution to showcase the range of practical training and opportunities available.
9: What types of trades are being promoted through this initiative?
The initiative promotes a variety of trades including plumbing, construction, electrical work, barbering, floristry, and culinary careers.
10: Will there be more events like this in the future?
TAFE NSW and the NSW Government plan to continue developing similar campaigns that link digital platforms with vocational training to attract new entrants to the trade workforce.
