The Minister for Education and Training has released Strategies to grow apprenticeships and traineeships in Western Australia and the State Government's response to support job creation and revitalise Western Australia's training system. 

Strategies to grow apprenticeships and traineeships is the culmination of Statewide industry forums hosted by the State Training Board between August 2017 and March 2018. The consultations helped the State Training Board to understand what industry needs from the State’s training sector and inform future strategies.

The State Training Board set out to understand Western Australian industry needs and understand the common issues and barriers that employers face when employing apprentices and trainees. It is evident that there are wide-ranging issues and diverse opinions about what is needed to help grow apprenticeships and traineeships.

The issues identified throughout the consultations were:

• The apprenticeship system is complex and difficult to navigate
• There are cost pressures associated with the employment of apprentices and trainees.
• Apprenticeships and traineeships are not widely promoted or understood by young people and the community.
• Businesses want greater flexibility from the training sector.
• Jobs and Skills Centres need to collaborate with industry and VET stakeholders to support users of the system.

The State Training Board proposes five broad strategies to address these issues:

• Strategy 1: Make it easier for participants to navigate the apprenticeship system.
• Strategy 2: Reduce costs for employers and apprentices/trainees to make training more affordable.
• Strategy 3: Promote the VET sector and the opportunities available through apprenticeships and traineeships.
• Strategy 4: Make training adaptive to industry needs and foster structured partnerships.
• Strategy 5: Be customer focussed and provide reliable information, advice and support through the TAFE Jobs and Skills Centres.

View Strategies to grow apprenticeships and traineeships [PDF 5.84MB]

View the executive summary [PDF 126KB]

View the State Government’s response [PDF 461KB]