More than 3500 fee free training places will initially be offered across 40 different short courses to prepare for the busy Christmas retail period with more places to be added based on demand.

The NSW government is encouraging people to take advantage of free courses through TAFE NSW and other registered training providers, where you can learn specialist customer service and retail operation skills.

People from all over the state are lining up to get into our local shops, from pharmacies to supermarkets and florists and the NSW government wants to help support those businesses attract enthusiastic and skilled staff.

There are currently more than 4000 job vacancies in the NSW retail sector.

The free training will be funded under the joint state and federal JobTrainer program, which has already seen more than 143,000 enrolments since it was announced in October last year.

To explore other fee-free retail courses available to study, visit: https://bit.ly/2YAaQFn

Kids get a kick out of discounted Matildas tix

Local junior footballers have a special opportunity to see their heroes live at the upcoming Matildas versus USA series thanks to a $5 ticket offer from Football Australia.

All registered junior football players 12 years and under can purchase the discounted tickets with an accompanying paying adult or concession holder.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for local junior football fanatics to see the world's number one ranked women's team live in Sydney and Newcastle.

If you are a junior participant in NSW, please check your email inbox for an email from either Football NSW or Northern NSW Football with all the details for the exclusive $5 junior participant offer.

Otherwise, tickets are available from Ticketek for Stadium Australia, Sydney or Ticketmaster for McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle. Stadium Australia will host the first game on Saturday, November 27, and McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle will host the second on Tuesday, November 30.