The Department of Education has allocated a new recovery funding package for the TAFE and training sector to deliver free training courses to unemployed people keen to get back to work.
The $57 million package will deliver 15 free short courses and slash TAFE fees by as much as 72 per cent for thousands of Western Australians.
Minister for Education and Training, Sue Ellery said the expansion of the Lower Fees, Local Skills initiative which rolled out before COVID-19, would see TAFE fees for a further 39 high priority courses slashed by up to 72 per cent.
Ms Ellery said the expanded program now included 73 courses in total and would ensure Western Australians could access affordable training to help them get back into jobs.
“The heavily reduced fees have been targeted to align with the State’s immediate economic needs following COVID-19,” Ms Ellery said.
“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.”
She said six diploma courses, including the Diploma of Nursing, Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, and the Diploma of Community Services would have their fees reduced by 72 per cent.
“A further six pre-apprenticeship courses will have fees cut by 67 per cent,” Ms Ellery said.
“The pre‑apprenticeships course, which includes areas such as automotive electrical technology, engineering, plumbing and, building and construction, will prepare students for apprenticeships in industries where there will be demand for skilled workers,” she said.
She said from the second semester, the maximum annual fee students would pay would be 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 Minister said.
More information, including details of how to join a course can be accessed at the Jobs and Skills website at this PS News link.
