WA students to benefit from $113 million boost to vocational education and training

The Albanese and Cook Governments have today announced $113 million in funding to boost vocational education and training (VET) to help Western Australians get the skills they need to thrive in a changing economy.

The initiatives will target support across the student journey, focusing on foundation skills, Closing the Gap, improving completions and boosting the VET workforce.

Under the National Skills Agreement (NSA), the Albanese and Cook Governments will jointly invest up to $113.6 million for the following priorities:

• Improved Completions: $46.5 million to increase the number of apprentices completing their training and taking up skilled jobs – especially among priority groups;
• Closing the Gap: $43.9 million to strengthen First Nations partnerships, help First Nations training providers improve sustainability and training delivery, grow the VET workforce, and improve cultural competency across mainstream providers;
• VET Workforce: $15.2 million to develop a VET workforce strategy including targeted recruitment, professional development, mentoring, and support frameworks to attract and retain skilled teachers and trainers, especially in priority sectors and regions; and
• Foundation Skills: $8 million to expand the Read Write Now program in regional WA, including Pilbara and Kimberley, with flexible, community-driven delivery of language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills and support for First Nations learners.

This funding builds on the $85 million jointly funded by the Albanese and Cook Governments under the NSA for TAFE Centres of Excellence for Clean Energy Skills and the Defence Industry, and more than $9 million in funding for upgrades to WA TAFEs and educational institutions through the Commonwealth’s $50 million TAFE Technology Fund.

The $3.24 million TAFE Technology Fund investment in North Metropolitan TAFE’s Midland campus has supported the installation of two wind turbines, two donated nacelles and a working at heights training tower, as well as campus upgrades to support training.

This will give students the hands-on experience they need to safely work in the installation, maintenance and repair of wind turbines, as the state increasingly moves to the provision of renewable energy. 

In addition to supporting training in renewable energy, the training tower has the potential to offer working at heights training across several industries including rail, electrical, construction, emergency service and mining.

The TAFE Technology Fund is also providing:

• $2 million to South Metropolitan TAFE’s Bentley campus to upgrade its commercial training kitchen into a state-of-the-art facility, enhancing hospitality training and providing real-world experience for students.
• $3 million to Ellenbrook Secondary College to develop a project plan for the Ellenbrook Trade Training Centre and a fire services upgrade. The trade training facility will be for students and adult learners in the hospitality and construction industries.
• $1.1 million to North Regional TAFE’s Pundulmurra campus in South Hedland to buy and install specialist equipment for the existing health simulation ward, and to establish a state-of-the-art renal simulation ward, supporting training in critical health services.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:

“The Albanese and Cook Labor Governments are backing TAFE and training across WA, so that every West Australian has the opportunity to start – and finish – their training.

“This joint investment is about making training work for people across WA, whether it’s through better support for apprentices, stronger First Nations partnerships, or expanding access to foundation skills in regional communities.”

“We’re supporting students who may need additional support by investing in mentoring, partnerships, and facilities that will help see more students get the skills they want for their future.”

Quotes attributable to the Western Australian Minister for Skills and TAFE, Amber-Jade Sanderson:

“The Cook Labor Government is prioritising jobs, health, and housing. Supporting students and the VET workforce at modern, well-funded TAFEs delivered because of our record investment will ensure we have skilled workers ready for opportunities in these priority areas and other sectors of our growing economy.

“This latest funding will support more students, and it will help to attract and retain our dedicated trainers and assessors, who are among the best in the country.

“It is also an important step in closing the gap in skills and training outcomes for First Nations people across WA.”

ENDS