Sydney comedian Rob Shehadie goes to TAFE Western Sydney in new web series via VCCP

Australia’s largest TAFE institute, TAFE Western Sydney, has partnered with popular Australian actor and comedian Rob Shehadie to launch a new web series, Educating Rob via VCCP Australia.

The six-part web series follows Shehadie’s character as he navigates his way through various programs that TAFE Western Sydney offers and provides a first-hand and comical insight into being a student studying at TAFE.

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TAFE Western Sydney strategic marketing and communications director, Craig McCallum, said the partnership with Shehadie was a natural fit, given his support of and personal connection to western Sydney.

Says McCallum: “Rob grew up in Parramatta, and he’s a proud western Sydney-sider whose achieved significant success and actively promotes the west, whether he’s on the set of his latest TV series or on the stage doing his comedy routine, he’s all about opening up and promoting opportunities for his western Sydney community.

“TAFE Western Sydney and Rob Shehadie are both passionate advocates for educating the future generation of western Sydney and it is great to see this passion come to fruition through this exciting project.”

Shehadie, who is also starring in the new Channel 9 comedy Here Come the Habibs, said he was looking forward to watching his character achieve his dreams while studying Automotive and Communications at TAFE Western Sydney.

Says Shehadie: “I’m really excited to be working with TAFE Western Sydney to deliver a fun web series to inspire the young people of the west to build their skills and qualifications with the VET provider that has been a steadfast supporter of the west for many years. Further education is critical for any community but especially for my community, as there are high pockets of youth unemployment in western Sydney, with some areas experiencing as much as 25% unemployment. This can only change if people take up the opportunity to study. TAFE Western Sydney provides that chance. You can even study at TAFE for free.

“The Educating Rob series shows how my character is introduced to TAFE Western Sydney, how I select my courses and my life as a student at college and through online study ‘blended learning’ and work experience, and the proud moment of my graduation. Yes, my whole family – mum, dad, sister, brothers, cousins aunts, uncles – attends the graduation.

“Why did I team up with TAFE Western Sydney while I was busy shooting Here Come the Habibs? Well that’s easy to answer: I made the time to do it so young adults in the west can see, through the power of humour, that personal confidence and direction come when you go on to further education and develop the skills employers want.

“It’s the start of a new academic year. I encourage my fellow Westies to seriously consider becoming a TAFE Western Sydney student, selecting a course that will lead to solid job prospects and giving further education a go.

“The cost of study may be a worry for students, but TAFE Western Sydney offers not only a whole bunch of free courses that can lead towards a qualification, but they also offer flexible payment plans so you can pay as you study.”

The web series will target western Sydney’s youth market and focus on short, sharable digital content.

Says McCallum: “The way people consume media and content is changing; millennials in Western Sydney are not heavy consumers of traditional media and our campaign needed to reflect this.

“The youth of Western Sydney want something they can consume on-the-go, via an iPhone and then share with their friends. The Educating Rob web series will cut through the clutter of traditional training and education industry advertising with bite-sized content, longer episodes and an interactive digital content hub.”

Client: TAFE Western Sydney

Media: Benedictus Media