TAFE Western Sydney has once again recruited Aussie comedian Rob Shehadie to help change high school students’ perceptions of the institute with the launch of a new web video series.
Rob’s Campaign, a collaboration between TAFE Western Sydney, VCCP, Benedictus Media and Sefiani, tracks the Here Come the Habibs creator as he hits the streets of western Sydney in his Hummer limo, speaking to hundreds of high school students about why TAFE is a legitimate option for school leavers and up-skillers looking to get job-ready.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypgLIOc_fxk
Combining YouTube, Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook, the four-part web series will be spread across digital platforms, with new episodes and digital content released each week.
Channel Nine newsreader Peter Overton, 2GB’s Ross Greenwood, Big Brother winner Tim Dormer and sports presenter Cameron Williams make cameo appearances throughout the series, while ARIA award-winning Australian hip-hop group Bliss n Eso and western Sydney dance group NeWest are also on board.
The new series is the second instalment of Shehadie’s TAFE experience, building on the success of Educating Rob, which achieved 400,000 organic views.
Craig McCallum, strategic marketing and communications director at TAFE Western Sydney, said the campaign is an exciting new direction for the institute.
“Rob’s Campaign is all about addressing the misconceptions about TAFE and presenting TAFE Western Sydney as the leading vocational education provider in the country,” he said.
“TAFE isn’t just for tradies, it’s not for people who aren’t intelligent, and it isn’t the consolation prize for not going to uni. Rob’s Campaign is a fantastic affirmation of the quality of a TAFE education – offering over 700 courses, good earning potential, and providing the skills and work smarts to secure 86 per cent of its graduates with great job opportunities within six months of completing their studies.”
Shehadie said that while changing the perceptions of TAFE is a big undertaking, it is necessary in a society that often values a university degree over any other tertiary qualification.
“Not everyone is suited to university – one size does not fit all – and TAFE offers a great opportunity for young people to get valuable training and work experience,” he said.
“Interestingly, 30 per cent of people currently attending TAFE Western Sydney have been to university, but realise they need the practical training and job experience TAFE offers to advance in the careers they want.
“As a proud western Sydney-sider, getting behind this TAFE Western Sydney campaign is a no-brainer. This is a story worth telling and I’m doing it in the best way I know – through comedy.”
To watch more episodes from Rob’s Campaign, click here.
