Following its tabling in Parliament, the Training Accreditation Council’s 2021-2022 Annual Report is now available to view. 

Highlights during this period include the endorsement of the 2021-2023 Focus on Quality: TAC Regulatory Strategy, the finalisation of the strategic industry review into Community Services qualifications, increasing levels of compliance at main audit and a significant increase in participation in the Council’s education program with 1,141 participants in the last financial year .

For further information, please Click Here

The State Government have released their report on the review of skills training and workforce development.  Please  click on the links provided:

https://www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/uploads/dtwd-gov-response-review-july2020.pdf

https://www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/uploads/dtwd-training-review-june2020.pdf

The UEEA Training Council was involved during the consultation process and welcomes the recommendations to increase and enhance the WA workforce.

The UEEA Automotive and Engineering Project Officer, Mr Mark Harper, was particularly pleased with the announcement of a proposed Agricultural Centre of Excellence to be located at the Muresk training facility (see section 4.2).   Mark has been involved in lobbying for this initiative over the last twelve years and worked closely with the Farm Machinery and Industry Association of WA on this initiative.  Perseverance does pay off in the end.

This is a fantastic opportunity to place WA at the forefront of agricultural training, not only locally and nationally, but also globally.

The McGowan Government  has announced a raft of funding for training and training delivery:

• $229.2 million Rebuilding our TAFEs program announced today
• Plan includes $167.4 million to upgrade TAFE colleges across the State
• Largest TAFE capital works program in WA history, creating an estimated 1,000 jobs
• $79.1 million in upgrades to TAFE in regional WA
• $57 million package to slash TAFE fees by up to 72 per cent and deliver 15 free short courses, plus $4.8 million for the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Re-engagement Incentive 

The McGowan Government today announced the biggest capital works program in history for TAFE campuses across the State, as part of the $5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan.

The $229.2 million Rebuilding our TAFEs plan includes a record $167.4 million investment in capital works projects to upgrade essential infrastructure across the five Western Australian TAFE colleges.

The upgrades will create world-class learning opportunities for students while generating a pipeline of jobs, which will deliver a boost to the economy and help Western Australia get back on track.  

Two North Metropolitan TAFE campuses will receive significant upgrades as part of the program. 

The ageing Balga campus is set to receive a major upgrade, with $32 million allocated to overhaul the campus that was originally constructed in the 1970s.

A new multistorey building will replace 22 transportable classrooms to provide training in building and construction, community services and general education.

Construction of a new trade training workshop, and associated technology laboratories, for light automotive training is also planned for the Kendrew Crescent campus in Joondalup, with $17.6 million budgeted. 

South Metropolitan TAFE’s Armadale campus, split over temporary buildings in various locations, will be replaced, with $22.6 million earmarked for construction of a new consolidated state-of-the-art campus.

The new campus will be more accessible for young people, boost student capacity and enhance training delivery. Vocational Education and Training delivered to secondary students will also be a strong focus for the campus to help address youth unemployment. 

Regional Western Australia will also benefit from upgrades totalling $79.1 million, including a $17 million upgrade to South Regional TAFE, Albany; $22 million to North Regional TAFE, Pundulmurra (South Hedland); $2 million for upgrades to Central Regional TAFE, Northam; while $5 million is planned to go towards a new classroom block at North Regional TAFE, Minurmarghali Mia (Roebourne).

This record infrastructure spend complements the McGowan Government’s other initiatives to form its plan to rebuild WA’s training sector, to support displaced workers, women and youth, and provide training for emerging skills needed in the community. 

It follows the McGowan Government’s recent announcement that TAFE fees will be slashed by up to 72 per cent on an additional 39 high priority courses, and 15 free short courses will be available to assist students to upskill for new jobs and provide pathways to full qualifications.

Rebuilding our TAFEs plan includes:

• $167.4 million in capital works projects across Western Australia;
• $25 million for free short courses to upskill thousands of Western Australians;
• $32 million for the expansion of the Lower fees, local skills program; and
• $4.8 million for the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Re-engagement Incentive. 

For more information, visit http://inthistogether.wa.gov.au

Thursday, 2 July 2020 

• $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

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.

To read the full article, please follow this link:
https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2020/07/57-million-recovery-package-for-WA-TAFE-and-training-sector.aspx

Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery has announced the Worldskills Australia National Championships, due to be held in Perth this August, will be postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The championships are Australia’s largest vocational education and training (VET) competition, attracting more than 500 competitors and 20,000 visitors. Competitions will now be held from 29 April to 1 May 2021 at the Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre. Competitors currently preparing for the 2020 championships, will be able to compete in 2021.

To read the full article, please follow this link:
https://www.dtwd.wa.gov.au/whats-new/worldskills-australia-national-championships-postponed-for-covid-19

The Department of Training and Workforce Development Executive and TAFE Managing Directors are working together to ensure the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector in WA is well placed to manage COVID-19 developments. They are working closely with lead agencies including the WA Department of Premier and Cabinet and Department of Health to ensure their approach is informed by, and aligns with, central coordination points.

To read the full article, including changes to TAFE and the Jobs and Skills Centres, please follow this link:
https://www.dtwd.wa.gov.au/covid19