Biggest TAFE investment in history as part of WA Recovery Plan

28th July, 2020

State Government's $229.2 million Rebuilding our TAFEs program announced today

Biggest TAFE investment in history as part of WA Recovery Plan

28th July, 2020

State Government's $229.2 million Rebuilding our TAFEs program announced today

The State Government today announced the biggest capital works program in history for TAFE campuses across the State, as part of the $5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan. The $229.2 million Rebuilding our TAFEs plan includes a record $167.4 million investment in capital works projects to upgrade essential infrastructure across the five Western Australian TAFE colleges. The upgrades will create world-class learning opportunities for students while generating a pipeline of jobs, which will deliver a boost to the economy and help Western Australia get back on track.  

• Two North Metropolitan TAFE campuses will receive significant upgrades as part of the program. 
• The ageing Balga campus is set to receive a major upgrade, with $32 million allocated to overhaul the campus that was originally constructed in the 1970s.
• A new multistorey building will replace 22 transportable classrooms to provide training in building and construction, community services and general education.
• Construction of a new trade training workshop, and associated technology laboratories, for light automotive training is also planned for the Kendrew Crescent campus in Joondalup, with $17.6 million budgeted. 
• South Metropolitan TAFE's Armadale campus, split over temporary buildings in various locations, will be replaced, with $22.6 million earmarked for construction of a new consolidated state-of-the-art campus. The new campus will be more accessible for young people, boost student capacity and enhance training delivery. Vocational Education and Training delivered to secondary students will also be a strong focus for the campus to help address youth unemployment. 
• Regional Western Australia will also benefit from upgrades totalling $79.1 million, including a $17 million upgrade to South Regional TAFE, Albany; $22 million to North Regional TAFE, Pundulmurra (South Hedland); $2 million for upgrades to Central Regional TAFE, Northam; while $5 million is planned to go towards a new classroom block at North Regional TAFE, Minurmarghali Mia (Roebourne).

This record infrastructure spend complements the State Government's other initiatives to form its plan to rebuild WA's training sector, to support displaced workers, women and youth, and provide training for emerging skills needed in the community. The Rebuilding our TAFEs plan includes:

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

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