Applications for 200,000 free vocational education and training places are now open under the NSW Government's Smart and Skilled fee-free scholarship program.

These training places will help young people gain the skills and qualifications they need to secure a job.

Applications for fee-free scholarships have opened from July 1 for young people, aged 15 to 30, who receive benefits such as a Newstart Allowance or a Youth Allowance. The program will allow 200,000 disadvantaged young people to go to TAFE or other vocational education and training providers with paying a single cent in student fees, with priority given to residents of social housing.

People who meet Smart and Skilled Fee-Free Scholarship eligibility criteria can choose from more than 580 qualifications from Certificate I to Certificate IV level, including Apprenticeships and Traineeships, and will be able complete their training without paying a student fee.

In Barwon more than 97 contracted training providers including TAFE NSW Institutes and private and community training organisations are able to provide fee-free training under Smart and Skilled.

For more information on Smart and Skilled Fee Free Scholarships, including eligibility, see the 'for students' pages at www.smartandskilled.nsw.gov.au or contact State Training Services on 1300 772 104.

ooo

$500,000 FOR REGIONAL ARTS FELLOWSHIPS

Ten $50,000 fellowships are available over the next four years as part of a major new scheme delivered by the NSW Government to grow arts and culture in regional NSW.

Applications are open to artists based in regional NSW in all art forms including dance, digital arts, history, Aboriginal arts and culture, literature, music, theatre, screen and the visual arts, to further develop their careers.

Artists based in our regions play a pivotal role in developing local cultural communities and the Government is focused on providing opportunities for skills development.

Two fellowships are available this year with applications open from 1 July to 24 August 2015 for professional artists and art and cultural workers.

For more details on the fellowships including how to apply, visit www.arts.nsw.gov.au or email arts.funding@arts.nsw.gov.au.

ooo

TALKING POINTS - POINT TO POINT

TRANSPORT TASKFORCE

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance has announced an independent taskforce to examine the future sustainability of taxis, hire cars, courtesy and shuttle buses, community transport and other emerging point to point transport providers in NSW including ridesharing apps.

The taskforce will work with customers, the taxi industry, hire car companies and other stakeholders to look at sustainability and competition in the market, the impact of emerging technologies, the importance of customer safety and the burden of current taxi regulations.

They will also examine the sustainability of the industry in regional NSW where taxis are under increasing pressure due to the advent of courtesy transport and community transport.

The new taskforce will report back to the NSW Government by the end of October with recommendations.

ooo

THUMBS UP

Congratulations to Mia Huddleston, winner of the photo competition run by the Window on the Wetlands Centre in Warren.

There were a number of beautiful photos submitted for the competition so well done to everyone involved.

To view the photo go to www.riversmart.org.au.