Recovery package for WA TAFE and training sector

Posted on Jul 09, 2020

$57 Million recovery package for WA TAFE and training sector – July 2020

 

ABBTF would like to congratulate the Western Australian Government in significantly reducing Bricklaying Trade Training Costs this week. The new Fee Schedule particularly for school leavers and mature aged persons, will make it more attractive to engage in a Bricklaying Pre-Apprenticeship with a quality training provider. The timing is spot on given the current high demand for Bricklaying Apprentices in the greater Metropolitan Area, Peel, and the South West. It will help Industry meet the demand for trades in this current upturn based on dramatically improved home building sales sparked by State and Federal support for New Home Builders.

 

  • $57 million package to help with WA’s recovery from COVID-19
  • $25 million for free TAFE short courses to upskill thousands of Western Australians
  • Courses will focus on current and emerging job opportunities
  • $32 million for more major reductions in TAFE fees as part of the WA Recovery Plan
  • TAFE fees for 39 additional high priority qualifications slashed by between 50 per cent and up to 72 per cent for Diploma courses
  • Maximum annual fee that youth and concession holders will pay is capped at $400 for Semester 2
  • The McGowan Labor Government has unveiled a comprehensive $57 million package for the training sector that will deliver 15 free short courses and slash TAFE fees by as much as 72 per cent for thousands of Western Australians as part of the WA Recovery Plan.

 

Government of Western Australia – Media Statement:

In an expansion of the Lower Fees, Local Skills initiative that rolled out before COVID-19, TAFE 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, after TAFE fees increased by as much as 510 per cent under the previous Liberal National Government.

The heavily reduced fees have been targeted to align with the State’s immediate economic needs following COVID-19.

The program now also includes 27 Certificate courses that will be 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.

A further six pre-apprenticeship courses will have fees cut by 67 per cent. The pre‑apprenticeships course, which include 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 the second semester, the maximum annual fee students will pay is capped at $400 for concession students and youth and $1,200 for non-concession students. It is expected that adding a further 39 courses to the Lower Fees, Local Skills initiative will increase annual TAFE enrolments by more than 6,000 students and provide fee relief to more than 27,000 enrolments over the second half of 2020 and during 2021.

The package includes $25 million for ‘Free TAFE Short Courses’ that have been developed in consultation with industry to engage displaced workers, including women and young people, and meet immediate and emerging skill requirements as the economy recovers. The free short courses will provide a launch-pad for students to up-skill 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 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.

For more information visit https://www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/ or contact your local Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64.

Many thanks
Dean Pearson – WA Manager