There will be 1500 free TAFE places in the Territory next year, as part of a deal between the Territory and federal governments with many in the care sector in remote areas, the Business, Jobs and Training Minister Paul Kirby has said.

Mr Kirby said $9.4 million will be spent on the one-year agreement with 600 free places in the care sector, 200 in construction, 150 in agriculture, 120 in hospitality and tourism, 80 transport, logistics and manufacturing, 50 in the technology and digital sector, and another 300 places in other unspecified sectors.

He said trainers in the care sectors in remote areas will be the primary recipient of the fund, with private providers training people in priority sectors.

“We know how important access for students to these courses is, as well as for businesses to skilled workers, and this deal will help improve that access. The deal will boost our skilled opportunities and will help meet our workforce shortfall in critical sectors,” Mr Kirby said.

Charles Darwin University VET strategy and growth director Michael Hamilton said the Territory was facing a skills shortage in several industries.

“As the Territory’s largest vocational education and training provider, CDU is best placed to develop the Territory’s vocational education and training system and to ensure we have the workers we need to gain the skills and knowledge required to fill workforce gaps,” Mr Hamilton said.