News archive

• Engagement and exposure to VET;
• Changing the perception of VET; and
• VET delivery and support.

The State Training Board’s report will be a valuable tool for shaping future State Government programs to improve the VET experience for young people. The Board thanks the participants whose insights were central to the success of this project.

Find out more about the report and the WA Government response here

The State Training Board 2021-2022 Annual Report was tabled in State Parliament on 21 September 2022.

The Annual Report provides an overview of the Board's operations and strategic projects for the year ending 30 June 2022, as well as addressing reporting requirements set out in legislation and by the Public Sector Commission.

Key achievements for the year included:

• publication of the State Training Plan 2022-2023;
• ongoing work to advise the Minister on the establishment and variation of apprenticeships and traineeships in Western Australia;
• release of the Social Assistance and Allied Health: Future Workforce Skills report;
• investigation of regional childcare issues; and
• ongoing work on the Board's Youth Engagement Project.

The State Training Board Annual Report 2021-2022 is available here.

Skills boost for civil construction through industry-backed program

Pilot program to change traineeships to apprenticeships

The State Government has joined with Western Australia's civil construction industry to establish a new pilot program to increase the number and quality of new workers entering the sector. This pilot program will help build a skilled local workforce in the civil construction industry to support the State Government's $13 billion commitment to civil infrastructure projects over the next four years.

Under the program specific civil construction qualifications in WA are changing from a traineeship to an apprenticeship, extending training from 24 months to 36 months with the aim of improving skills and employment opportunities. The move will result in the first cohort of civil construction apprentices, who will receive a trade certificate on completion of their Certificate III qualification, boosting qualified civil construction trades.

For more information, please read the CCPP FAQs available at dtwd.wa.gov.au/apprenticeship-office#useful-fact-sheets or at ctf.wa.gov.au. 

Funded by the Construction Training Fund (CTF) and developed in conjunction with the Civil Contractors Federation WA (CCFWA) and Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), the $5.99 million program will cover a wage gap created by the transition, ensuring employers and apprentices are not disadvantaged by the transition to the new qualifications.
 

• A wage subsidy of up to $14,000 will be provided to employers who employ junior apprentices (under 21), and there will also be wage gap funding for 50 direct employment mature age civil construction apprenticeships.
• The CTF has also increased its base grant for employers from $8,000 to $10,000.

The CTF apprenticeship support grant is available to eligible employers, and is intended to cover the costs incurred by the employment and training of an apprentice during the term of the training contract. Throughout the four-year pilot program, it is anticipated that around 250 junior apprentice wages will be subsidised and more than 1,200 new apprentices are expected to commence in the civil construction sector.

Read the full media statement here 

The State Training Board 2020–2021 Annual Report was tabled in State Parliament on 15 September 2021. 

The Annual Report provides an overview of the Board's operations and strategic projects for the year ending 30 June 2021, as well as addressing reporting requirements set out in legislation and by the Public Sector Commission.

Key achievements for the year included:

• publication of the State Training Plan 2021-2022;
• ongoing work to provide advice to the Minister on the establishment and variation of apprenticeships and traineeships in Western Australia;
• completion of phase two of the Board's Social Assistance and Allied Health Workforce project;
• completion of the WA Tourism and Hospitality Skills Strategy 2020;
• investigation of regional childcare issues; and 
• commencement of the Board's Youth Engagement Project.

The State Training Board Annual Report 2020-2021 is available here.  

Reduced course fees for these additional 107 courses will apply to study that commences from 1 January 2021; and applications and enrolments are open now.

Under the Lower fees, local skills* initiative, fees have now been slashed by up to 72 per cent for a total of 180 courses to make training more affordable for Western Australians. The initiative has already seen enrolments in eligible priority vocational education and training (VET) courses increase by 20 per cent. The list of available courses has been expanded in consultation with industry to engage jobseekers, women and young people, to meet immediate and emerging skill requirements. People under 25, and eligible people of all ages looking for work, will pay no more than $400 in annual course fees. 

The 107 additional reduced-fee courses will deliver training in sectors including building and construction, manufacturing, information technology, mining, engineering, aquaculture, agriculture, horticulture and logistics. More free short courses will also be added to meet emerging skills needs. These skill sets are completely free for those looking for work or people under 25 to help get them into jobs.

For more information, visit jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/skillsready. 

Celebrating excellence in vocational education and training

The Minister for Education and Training announced the five winners from the WA Training Awards 2020 at an intimate event at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre last night.

• WA Apprentice of the Year 2020: Bethany Clarke
• WA Trainee of the Year 2020: Cheyne Pearce
• WA Vocational Student of the Year 2020: Trent Caldwell
• WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Student of the Year: Colleen Little
• WA School-based Apprentice of the Year: Joel Pearson

Winners from this year’s awards, who succeeded despite highly unusual circumstances and changes to workplaces and training delivery, received $3,000. This year, winners were recognised across five individual categories WA Apprentice of the Year; WA School-based Apprentice of the Year; WA Trainee of the Year; WA Vocational Student of the Year; and WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander of the Year.

The winners will now be put forward to compete against the nation’s best at the Australian Training Awards which will be a virtual celebration on 20 November 2020.

The State’s premier training award program is possible thanks to continuing support from the State Training Board Apprenticeship Support Australia, AMA Apprenticeship and Traineeship Services, College of Electrical Training, Crown Perth, The Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation, MEGT, Roy Hill, StudyPerth and the Training Accreditation Council.

“The stories from this year’s WA Training Awards highlight that the benefit of a VET pathway is far greater than just gaining a qualification." the Minister said. “With VET playing a vital role in rebuilding of Western Australia’s economy, the overall community benefit is significant and should be celebrated. I congratulate this year’s winners for their efforts and contributions. They are fine ambassadors for Western Australia’s training system."

Meet this year's winners! 

WA School-based Apprentice of the Year 2020 finalists

Jesse Booker (Mukinbudin)
Jesse chose work experience in the building and construction industry on the recommendation of his principal, who recognised he would benefit from practical work experience alongside his formal school studies. During his Certificate II in Construction Pathways at Central Regional TAFE, Jesse very quickly discovered that he enjoyed the work, and took pride in being able to finish a job for a client and reflect on what he had accomplished. Jesse hopes to inspire other students who may struggle with certain areas in school, to become a school-based trainee.

Piper Sweet (Dianella)
Piper was really unsure about what she wanted to do after school and applied for a school-based traineeship in the public sector. She hoped it would get her a foot in the door to somewhere that offered a range of career options. A Certificate II in Government Administration also felt more suited to her decision to take an ATAR pathway in Year 11 and 12. Apart from her on the job success, Piper was proud to be asked to present to the next year's group of trainees at their orientation, and achieved her personal goal of being able to publicly speak. Combined with her politics and law, and Italian studies at school, she now has a clearer idea of what she would like to do with her career, and hopes it will be in government or politics.

Joel Pearson (Geraldton)
The arts industry is something which Joel has always been deeply passionate about, so after years of circus, dance and volunteering at events, he started up his own circus entertainment company. A year of work placement encouraged Joel to further his training through a Certificate III in Arts Administration at North Regional TAFE, which resulted in being selected to complete a Tour Coordinator Mentorship with regional arts industry leader, CircuitWest. A highlight of Joel’s career so far was his first solo project in late 2019, working with the City of Greater Geraldton to provide a performance project titled Geraldton's Worst Artist at the local event, Christmas on the Terrace, which was attended by thousands.

WA Vocational Student of the Year 2020 finalists

Trent Caldwell (Ballajura)
With a background in community services, advertising, and art, Trent wanted to blend the skills learnt from these industries and embark on a journey to land his dream role in marketing. After successfully completing a Diploma of Marketing and Communication at North Metropolitan TAFE, Trent has landed his dream role as a Social Media Manager. He manages the website, social media accounts and paid advertising campaigns for Near Me Real Estate. After his successful past 18 months, Trent advocates one simple message - study with TAFE!

Chantelle Un (Kununurra)
Chantelle knows just how far she has come on her training journey. Coming from a background where school or learning was not encouraged, opting out of education seemed like the only option. After leaving school in year 9, she doubted her ability to study and almost gave it all up on her first day at North Regional TAFE. Her intrinsic motivation to be a good role model for her children, and have a job where she could help others, pushed her to complete a Certificate III in Community Services and to achieve her goal of bettering her community.

Georgia Potts (Kalgoorlie)
Georgia was inspired to work in education support, having been diagnosed with dyslexia at age eight. Despite the challenges dyslexia presents, she loved learning and undertook a Certificate IV in Education Support at Central Regional TAFE. Now working at a primary school in Kalgoorlie, Georgia says that the most rewarding part of her job is knowing she is helping to set students up with a positive start to their educational journey.

Eleanor Litterick (Furnissdale)
Inspired by her grandmother, who is an incredible seamstress and costume maker, Eleanor taught herself to sew, making clothes and costumes for friends and family. After taking a break to raise her daughter, she decided to take a leap of faith and pursue her passion by completing an Advanced Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Merchandising. Eleanor says the course at South Metropolitan TAFE taught her more than just practical skills, saying she learnt how to manage herself and her expectations, and have faith in her abilities. She also discovered a passion for sustainability in design through her studies, and has made this the focus of her future career.

WA Apprentice of the Year 2020 finalists

Bethany Clarke (Mount Pleasant)
Bethany entered her apprenticeship through the National Energy Technician Training Scheme, the first of its kind in Australia and the outcome of an amazing collaboration involving multiple different oil and gas companies. She achieved her Certificate III in Process Plant Operations through apprenticeship arrangements with Programmed. Bethany believes that being a female in a male-dominated industry pushed her to become a more confident version of herself, and is passionate about advocating for more women in the industry.

David Millington (Yangebup)
As he approached his thirties, David found himself having gained a variety of experience at multiple workplaces yet lacking any formal qualifications. He set his sights on qualifying as an electrician but found an apprenticeship was not easy to come by. After two years of interviews, he finally landed a mature-age apprenticeship with Austal and qualified four years later as an electrician, completing his Certificate III in Electrotechnology through South Metropolitan TAFE. He went on to win his employer’s Apprentice of the Year Award as well and his message to others is the importance of goal setting and resilience in the face of adversity.

Elizabeth Klokeid (East Victoria Park)
For Elizabeth, food has always been her passion but with a career background in the disability sector, she did not see her love for cooking as a career pathway until her sister bought a cocktail bar in Melbourne and she had the opportunity to run the small kitchen full time. She returned to Perth and enrolled at South Metropolitan TAFE Bentley campus. Having successfully applied for Crown’s Apprenticeship program, she qualified in March as a chef. Elizabeth believes that food creates a strong sense of community and has a universal ability to bring people together. By completing a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery, Elizabeth now has the chance to share that vision working at Crown Perth Modo Mio.

Plan for Peel region unveiled as part of WA Recovery Plan

10th August, 2020

Boosting training, jobs, tourism and industry

On Saturday 8 August a multimillion dollar package for the Peel region was unveiled as part of the WA Recovery Plan, to drive economic and social recovery and create a pipeline of local jobs. The Peel Recovery Plan is focused on getting locals back to work and includes a significant investment in sectors including construction, manufacturing, tourism and hospitality, renewable energy, education and training, and agriculture.

It will deliver a pipeline of short and long term jobs supporting and strengthening our existing industries, as well as laying the foundation for jobs of the future.

As part of the State Government's $229 million TAFE package, the plan includes upgrades to TAFE infrastructure in the region, including:

• $9.17 million to South Metropolitan TAFE's Mandurah campus for a new Hospitality and Tourism Training Centre to deliver training for a range of courses including commercial cookery, tourism and events management;
• $25 million for free TAFE short courses to upskill thousands of Western Australians, with a variety of free* courses available at South Metropolitan TAFE's Mandurah campus;
• $32 million to expand the Lower fees, local skills program with half price course fees* across over 70 priority qualifications; and
• $4.8 million for the Apprenticeship and Traineeship R-engagement Incentive that provides employers with a one-off payment of $6,000 for hiring an apprentice and $3,000 for hiring a trainee. 

Find out more about free and half price training here

Read more about the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Reengagement Incentive here

It also includes $10.38 million for the Pinjarra Senior High School for a new permanent performing arts centre and sports hall, as part of the Major School Upgrade package, and investment in infrastructure and industry to create opportunities for local businesses and jobs for local workers. The Government's revamped Buy Local policy will ensure local businesses are in the box seat to carry out this work. The plan includes $8.65 million to invest in upgraded infrastructure to attract private industry and create local jobs, and $8 million to the Offsets Fund for Recovery program that creates green jobs by supporting conservation groups to carry out on-ground works such as fencing, seeding and planting.

The plan also includes a significant investment in infrastructure and programs to drive tourism and create jobs. It includes:

• $1.19 million for upgrades on the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail including renewing camp sites, bridges and sections of the track;
• $750,000 to replace the ageing timber boardwalk in Goegrup Lake Nature Reserve in the Mandurah region;
• $350,000 for upgrades to buildings, new facilities and services across national parks in the Peel region, including Serpentine National Park; and
• $25 million for the Healthy Estuaries WA program for improvement works in estuaries across regional WA, including in the Peel-Harvey system. 

Strengthening Western Australia's health and community services is a vital component of the WA Recovery Plan. It includes $4 million towards the expansion of family and domestic violence refuges, including the construction of an additional six units at the Peel therapeutic refuge.

The full list of projects can be viewed at inthistogether.wa.gov.au 

* Please check the website for details about eligibility for free and half price course fee qualifications.

Wheatbelt training facilities overhaul to meet industry needs

6th August, 2020

$2million upgrades for Central Regional TAFE's Northam campus

The WA Minister for Education and Training was at Central Regional TAFE’s Northam campus today to announce a $2 million project to modernise the campus, as part of the State Government's Rebuilding our TAFEs plan.

Current facilities, which include light automotive, metals and construction workshops, will be replaced with contemporary training facilities and upgraded equipment to meet industry needs.The enhanced learning environments will ensure Wheatbelt students are trained to be job ready in industry areas essential to the region including building and construction, metal fabrication, automotive and engineering. The new facilities will meet demand for more skilled workers in the region by expanding training options.

Additionally, the upgraded workshops will be an integral to the region’s Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS) programs, offering pathways into apprenticeships such as agricultural machinery technology and heavy commercial fitting.

The Northam campus spend is part of a $167.4 million investment in capital works projects, which will see five Western Australian TAFE colleges significantly upgraded. More than half of the total spend has been allocated to projects at regional TAFE colleges. The capital works projects, key to the State Government’s $229.2 million Rebuilding our TAFEs plan, will deliver state of the art learning opportunities for students and boost the WA economy by generating jobs.

The State Government has recently increased the number of half price* courses available, as part of the Lower fees, local skills initiative under the Skills Ready program. Initially launched in January, the initiative halved the cost of training for 34 high priority qualifications. In July, the program was expanded to include an additional 39 courses slashed by up to 72 per cent to align with the State's immediate economic needs following COVID-19. The courses with reduced fees, as well as new free* short courses, are also targeted at job opportunities that relate to capital works initiatives such as the Rebuilding our TAFEs plan.

Find out more about free and half price training on the Jobs and Skills WA website

*Half price applies to course fees only; other fees may apply. Please see website for details.
**Please visit the website for details of eligibility requirements for free training.

New free training for agricultural harvest operations

6th August, 2020

Get farm ready with the Broadacre Harvest Operations skill set!

As part of the Rebuilding our TAFEs Plan,  $17 million has been allocated for new trades training workshops at South Regional TAFE's Albany campus.

Outdated 50-year old training workshops will be replaced with contemporary facilities to ensure people in the Great Southern have access to high quality training that meets the demands of the local industries and employers — particularly those in the automotive, metals and engineering, building and construction, and carpentry and joinery industries. The project will consolidate trades training to one area of the campus, which will expand training options and improve training outcomes so that students graduate job ready for local employment opportunities. 

The Albany campus spend is part of a $167.4 million investment in capital works projects, which will see facilities at all five Western Australian TAFE colleges significantly upgraded. As part of the State Government's commitment to regional Western Australia, more than half of the total spend has been allocated to projects at regional TAFE colleges. The capital works projects, key to the State Government's $229.2 million Rebuilding our TAFEs plan, will deliver state of the art learning opportunities for students and boost the WA economy by generating jobs.

Through the new Skills Ready program, the State Government has recently increased the number of half price* courses available as part of the Lower fees, local skills initiative. Initially launched in January, the initiative halved the cost of training for 34 high priority qualifications. In July, the program was expanded to include an additional 39 courses with fees slashed by up to 72 per cent to align with the State's immediate economic needs following COVID-19. The courses with reduced fees are also targeted at job opportunities that relate to capital works initiatives such as the Rebuilding our TAFEs plan. A range of free** training is also now available under the Skills Ready program. 
 

Find out more about free and half price training on the Jobs and Skills WA website

*Half price applies to course fees only; other fees may apply. Please see website for details.
**Please visit the website for details of eligibility requirements for free training.

Wheatbelt Recovery Plan unveiled

6th August, 2020

Boosting the region's training, jobs  and economy

A multimillion dollar package for the Wheatbelt region has been unveiled as part of the WA Recovery Plan to drive economic and social recovery, and create a pipeline of local jobs. The Wheatbelt Recovery Plan is focused on getting locals back to work and includes a significant investment in sectors including agriculture, construction, manufacturing, tourism and hospitality, renewable energy, education and training. It will deliver a pipeline of short and long term jobs supporting and strengthening our existing industries, as well as laying the foundation for jobs of the future.

As part of the State Government's $229.2 million Rebuilding our TAFEs package, the plan includes upgrades to TAFE infrastructure in the region including:

• $8 million to the Muresk Institute in Northam for a new trades workshop, classrooms and specialist facilities for agricultural machinery apprentices, and a new workshop space for shearing skills;
• $2 million to Central Regional TAFE's Northam campus for major upgrades to workshop facilities and equipment;
• $25 million for free TAFE short courses to upskill thousands of Western Australians, with a variety of free courses available at Central Regional TAFE and at South Regional TAFE's Narrogin campus; and
• $32 million to expand the Lower fees, local skills program and significantly reduce TAFE fees across 39 high priority courses. 

The Wheatbelt Recovery Plan includes investment in local infrastructure to create opportunities for local businesses and jobs for local workers.

The revamped Buy Local policy will ensure local businesses are in the box seat to carry out this work. It includes:

• $35 million through the Regional Road Safety Program to upgrade 400 kilometres of Wheatbelt roads with shoulder sealing and installation of audible lines, creating around 150 local jobs;
• $80 million across the State for targeted maintenance programs for regional social, remote and government workers housing properties, including approximately 150 homes in the Wheatbelt;
• $141.7 million to refurbish social, remote and government workers housing across WA's ageing housing stock, including approximately 60 homes in the Wheatbelt; and
• $1.63 million statewide funding for maintenance and infrastructure upgrades in remote Aboriginal communities, including at Badjaling. 

The plan also includes a significant investment in infrastructure and programs to drive tourism and create jobs, including:

• $425,000 for upgrades to visitor facilities in Nambung National Park, including improving services at the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre and sealing the access road and car park at Lake Thetis; and
• $175,000 for upgrades to visitor facilities in parks across the Wheatbelt region, including upgrading buildings, trails, camp sites and roads in the proposed Dryandra Woodland National Park and at Eaglestone Rock. 

The Wheatbelt region will also benefit from a range of statewide programs included in the WA Recovery Plan. This includes:

• $23 million across the State for green jobs to employ people with no prior skills on environmental restoration including fencing, seeding and rehabilitating degraded land, in regional locations including across the Wheatbelt;
• $10 million towards the Clean Energy Future Fund to invest in clean energy technologies; and
• $8.1 million to continue the eConnected Grainbelt Program to promote the availability of information and ag-tech tools across WA's grain industry to provide growers with tailored information including weather, pests and diseases and to maintain 187 automated weather stations. 
   

For more information, visit inthistogether.wa.gov.au

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Top TAFE training facilities in our top end!

30th July, 2020

$16M investment in new and upgraded training centres for the Kimberley

As part of the Rebuilding our TAFEs plan, a key initiative under the WA Recovery Plan, it was announced that there would be funding for the construction of new state of the art training facilities at North Regional TAFE's Broome and Kununurra campuses.

The $10 million hospitality centre in Broome will provide students with a contemporary training environment. It will also be home to a brand new live works training restaurant and alfresco café, adding vibrancy to local communities while delivering industry-standard training and fostering industry partnerships. The new centre will ensure students are jobready and equipped to take up local employment opportunities in the hospitality and tourism industry, as well as in the wider region such as catering in mine sites.

A further $6 million for the Kununurra campus has been allocated for a health and hospitality trade training centre. The new training facility will provide simulated in home care training facilities to support National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) related training, and enable North Regional TAFE to deliver NDIS and aged care training. 

These upgrades to North Regional TAFE are part of a $167.4 million investment in capital works projects, announced earlier this week. As part of the State Government's commitment to regional WA, almost half of the total spend — more than $79.1 million — has been allocated to projects at regional TAFE colleges. North Regional TAFE's Pundulmurra campus (South Hedland) and Minurmarghali Mia campus (Roebourne) are also set to receive new facilities through the initiative. As well as improving learning opportunities for students, these projects will also boost the WA economy by generating jobs in the region.

The Rebuilding our TAFEs plan includes:

• $167.4 million in capital works projects across WA
• $25 million for free TAFE short courses to upskill thousands of Western Australians
• $32 million for the expansion of the Lower fees, local skills program
• $4.8 million for the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Re-engagement Incentive

The new state-of-the-art training facilities will meet demand for more skilled workers in the region by expanding free training options and increasing the number of half price courses available, as part of the State Government's Lower fees, local skills initiative. Initially launched in January, the initiative halved the cost of training for 34 high priority qualifications. In July, the program was expanded to include an additional 39 courses slashed by up to 72 per cent to align with the State's immediate economic needs following COVID-19.The courses with reduced fees are also targeted at job opportunities that relate to capital works initiatives such as the Rebuilding our TAFEs plan.

For information about free training and half price qualifications, visit the Skills Ready page at jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/skillsready

$9.17 million for new Mandurah TAFE hospitality and tourism training centre

29th July, 2020

Meeting demand for skilled hospitality and tourism workers in the Peel region

As part of the WA Recovery Plan, a world class hospitality and tourism training centre will be built at South Metropolitan TAFE’s Mandurah campus. The $9.17 million centre will vastly improve the greater Peel region’s capacity to train job-ready, highly skilled chefs, front of house staff, and events management and tourism workers. The new facility, set to replace an ageing home economics-style room, will focus on training apprentice chefs and engaging local secondary students, young people and the long-term unemployed in vocational education and training.

The Mandurah TAFE hospitality and Tourism Training Centre is part of a record $167.3 million investment in capital works projects, which will see five Western Australian TAFE colleges significantly upgraded. The major capital works spend, key to the State Government’s $225 million Rebuilding our TAFEs plan, will deliver state-of-the-art learning opportunities for students and boost the WA economy by generating jobs. The Rebuilding our TAFEs plan includes:

• $167.3 million in capital works projects across WA;
• An additional $25 million for free TAFE short courses to upskill thousands of Western Australians;
• $32 million for the expansion of the Lower fees, local skills program; and
• $4.8 million for the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Re-engagement Incentive.

Mandurah’s new state of the-art training facility will meet demand for more skilled workers and build greater youth engagement in the region by expanding training options and the number of half price courses available through the the Lower fees, local skills program. Initially launched in January, the initiative halved the cost of training for 34 high priority qualifications. In July, the program was expanded to include an additional 39 courses reduced by up to 72 per cent to align with the State’s immediate economic needs following COVID-19.

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June summary updates

Industry training councils are a key component of the Western Australian VET sector, providing a direct link between industry and the State Training Board.

Throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, training councils have reached out to Western Australian industry, seeking advice on critical workforce and training needs. This intelligence has been provided to the State Training Board. The Board has provided this to the Western Australian Government to inform the State’s pandemic response strategy.

New $1.1M Health and Community Care Training Centre opens

24th July, 2020

State of the art facilities for students

The WA Education and Training Minister officially opened the new $1.1 million Health and Community Care Training Centre at Central Regional TAFE's Kalgoorlie campus last Friday.

The state of the art training facilities provide an authentic workplace experience for students of nursing, aged care, disability and individual support, allied health, mental health and more. It features an eight-bed hospital ward, reception area, medication room, showers, pan room, and an aged care residence. 

The opening of the new centre is particularly timely, with a range of free training and half price course fees qualifications in a range of healthcare areas, including nursing and aged care, under the Skills Ready program. To find out more, please visit the Jobs and Skills WA website

New free training to get WA Skills Ready!

2nd July, 2020

$57 million recovery package for WA TAFE and VET sector

The State Government has unveiled a comprehensive $57 million package for the training sector that will deliver 15 free short courses and slash course fees or thousands of Western Australians, as part of the WA Recovery Plan.

In an expansion of the Lower fees, local skills initiative that rolled out before COVID-19,  course fees for a further 39 high priority courses will be slashed by as much as 72 per cent. The expanded program now includes 73 courses in total and will ensure Western Australians can access affordable training to help them get back into jobs. The heavily reduced fees have been targeted to align with the State’s immediate economic needs following COVID-19.

What's new

Free* infection control and job ready skill sets

The package includes $25 million for free short courses that have been developed in consultation with industry to engage displaced workers, including young people, and meet immediate and emerging skill requirements as the economy recovers. These free skill sets will provide a launch-pad for students to get skills ready for new jobs, and provide pathways to full qualifications.

The initial list of 15 short courses will be available to around 13,500 Western Australians and includes free infection control skill sets, and courses in hospitality, logistics, cyber security, agriculture, civil construction and small business. Many of the short courses have built-in foundation digital skills and literacy and numeracy training. The free short courses can also be used as a credit towards a full qualification from the expanded Lower fees, local skills initiative.

More Lower fees, local skills qualifications

• The program now also includes 27 Certificate-level qualifications that will have course fees reduced from between 50 and 67 per cent for areas such as plumbing, agriculture, METRONET courses, construction, electrical trades, health services, fabrication, mental health and disability services.
   
• Six diploma courses – including Diploma of Nursing, Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and Diploma of Community Services— will have course fees reduced by 72 per cent.
   
• Six pre-apprenticeship courses will have course fees cut by 67 per cent. These courses, in areas including automotive electrical technology, engineering, plumbing and, building and construction, will prepare students for apprenticeships in industries where there will be demand for skilled workers.
   
• From second semester, the maximum  course fees students will pay for Lower fees, local skills qualifications will be capped at $400 for concession students and youth and $1,200 for non-concession students.

For more information on the free training and new Lower fees, local skills qualifications visit jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/skillsready

For free advice, information and support about training, please contact your local Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64.

Enrolments open on Monday 6 July 2020.

*Please note: Some of the free courses have eligibility requirements. Please go to jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/skillsready for full details.

WA Training Awards return for 2020!

30th June, 2020

Applications for new streamlined 2020 program open 1 July

The annual Western Australian Training Awards will go ahead in 2020, following the State's staged easing of COVID-19 restrictions. 

The Education and Training Minister announced today that applications for the WA Training Awards would open tomorrow, July 1, with the State's top apprentices, trainees and students encouraged to apply. 

Individual winners will receive $3,000 in cash and may be eligible to compete against the nation's best at the Australian Training Awards in November.

This year, winners will be recognised across five individual categories. These are: WA Apprentice of the Year; WA School-based Apprentice of the Year; WA Trainee of the Year; WA Vocational Student of the Year; and WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year. Applications close August 14 and winners will be announced in October.

For more information or to apply, visit https://www.dtwd.wa.gov.au/watrainingawards/wata2020

$5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan launched to get WA back on track

Focus on job creation and skilling our workforce through VET

The State Government has released the comprehensive WA Recovery Plan — the next important step in WA's COVID-19 journey that will help drive economic and social recovery across the State, and create a pipeline of jobs for Western Australians. The plan has been developed in consultation with the State Recovery Advisory Group, which includes representatives from business, industry, not-for-profit organisations, UnionsWA, the public sector, local government and the community.

The $5.5 billion investment will create thousands of local jobs in important sectors such as construction, manufacturing, tourism and hospitality, renewable energy, education and training, agriculture, mining and conservation. It includes more than $60 million for 'shovel-ready' maintenance upgrades to vital State Government facilities, expected to get underway within weeks. These projects will create an immediate boost to workers such as electricians, painters, plumbers, builders and carpenters.

One of the priority areas within the plan is rebuilding TAFE and reskilling our workforce. 

• New and upgraded specialist facilities with state of the art equipment will be constructed in the largest ever capital funding program for WA TAFE collegess. 
• $25 million has been allocated to provide free training for people to extend transferable skills and tap into new job needs  (see jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/skillsready).
• $32 million to support the Lower fees, local skills program, under which course fees for priority qualifications have been slashed by up to 72 per cent, to provide easier access to training in critical areas  (see jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/skillsready#lower-fees-local-skills-half-price-course-fees).
• $4.8 million for the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Re-engagement Incentive which offers employers one-off payments to reengage displaced workers  — $6,000 for apprentices and $3,000 for trainees  —(see jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/reengagementincentive).

The WA Recovery Plan is available at wa.gov.au/government/wa-recovery.

Full details on each element of the comprehensive WA Recovery Plan will be released in coming days and will be available at inthistogether.wa.gov.au.

Fast-track your career in aged care and disability support
Applications are now open for two programs offering direct pathways to further study and employment in aged care and disability support.

• Certificate II in Introduction to Aged Care
• Certificate II in Introduction to Disability Care

Offered through North Metropolitan TAFE (NMT) the industry-endorsed Certificate II courses include valuable work placements with well-known healthcare providers; Brightwater, MOSAIC, Nulsen Disability Services, Senses Australia, Bethanie, Juniper or Southern Cross Care.
Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD) Director General Anne Driscoll said streamlining training and work placement will increase student’s chances of continuing onto employment within the industry.

“There is a rising demand for services in the disability and aged care sectors, she said.

“The courses have been designed to meet industry skill gaps and provide an important pathway for workers entering the disability and aged care workforce. Our offerings are delivered by leading training providers and industry experts in this field.”

The health care and social assistance industry employs more than 172,000 Western Australians, however forecasts show this will grow by almost 40,000 people by 2023.

“Disability Support workers make a tremendous difference to the quality of life for people living with physical or intellectual disabilities by promoting social connectedness, independence, emotional wellbeing and general health.

“Aged care is equally rewarding as you assist a wide variety of older people with daily living and helping them feel connected with the community,” Ms Driscoll said.

The pathway programs address a skills need identified in the WA State Training Board's Social assistance and allied health workforce strategy.

Students who successfully complete the program at NMT will be eligible to go on to study the relevant Certificate III course, and could be considered for employment as a trainee by their work placement employer.

To enrol in the courses prospective students will need to attend the information sessions on 1 and 2 May 2019, which will provide an overview of the program, the selection process and an opportunity to meet industry partners. 

More information is available on the North Metropolitan TAFE website.