We’ve just announced a huge boost that will help thousands of Western Australians access TAFE and training courses with massive cuts to fees and a range of short courses that will be completely free. 
As the economy recovers, skilled workers will be in high demand, which means that training will be vital to develop a skilled workforce.
Our new $57m package to support TAFE and training with make sure West Aussies can access the training they need to access jobs in key areas.
Our new $57m package to support TAFE and training with make sure West Aussies can access the training they need to access jobs in key areas.
Last year we slashed fees on 34 WA TAFE courses with our Lower Fees, Local Skills initiative. Today we’re expanding that to cover another 39 courses - including things like agriculture, construction, trades, nursing, early childhood education, community services and more.
Fees for all these courses will be cut by at least 50%, with some course costs slashed by as much as 72%. 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.
We’ve also provided $25m for ‘Free TAFE Short Courses’ that we've developed with industry to engage displaced workers and meet immediate and emerging skill needs.
The free courses will provide a launch-pad for students to up-skill and provide pathways to full qualifications.
The free courses will provide a launch-pad for students to up-skill 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 heavy vehicle training, hospitality, logistics, cyber security, agriculture, civil construction and small business.
Enrolments for the TAFE courses will open on Monday 6 July 2020. For more information visit jobsandskills.wa.gov.au or contact your local Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64.
We have also put in place our Apprenticeship and Traineeship Re-engagement Incentive to get apprentices and trainees who lost their contracts during the COVID crisis back on the job.
The Incentive provides employers with a one-off payment of $6,000 for hiring an apprentice and $3,000 for hiring a trainee whose training contract was terminated on, or after, March 1, 2020.
