$57 million recovery package for WA TAFE and VET sector
A comprehensive $57 million package has just been unveiled for the training sector that will deliver free short courses and slash course fees, as part of the WA Recovery Plan.
In an expansion of the Lower fees, local skills initiative that rolled out before COVID-19, course fees for a further 24 high priority courses at North Regional TAFE will be slashed by as much as 72 per cent. The expanded program now includes 42 courses and will ensure residents in the North West can access affordable training to help them get back into jobs. The heavily reduced fees have been targeted to align with immediate economic needs following COVID-19.
Free short courses have been developed in consultation with industry to engage displaced workers, including young people, and meet immediate and emerging skill requirements as the economy recovers. These free skill sets will provide a launch-pad for students to get skills ready for new jobs, and provide pathways to full qualifications.
The initial list of short courses includes free infection control skill sets, and 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.