The WA Government have slashed the cost of TAFE fees on a number of courses to help upskill Western Australians and get them back to work as the economy recovers from the pandemic.
In an expansion of the Lower Fees, Local Skills initiative that rolled out before COVID-19, a $57 million package was unveiled for the training sector that will see fees for 8 courses at Mandurah TAFE slashed by as much as 72 per cent.
These courses include:
- Certificate II in Kitchen Operations - approx. $1,527 in 2017, reduced to $507 for Semester 2 2020
- Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology - approx. $1,781 in 2017, reduced to $591 for Semester 2 2020
- Certificate III in Carpentry and Joinery - approx. $2,876 in 2017, reduced to $1,434 for Semester 2 2020
- Certificate IV in Community Services - approx. $2,145 in 2017, reduced to $1,069 for semester 2 2020
- Diploma of Community Services - approx. $4,748 in 2017, reduced to $1,200 for Semester 2 2020
This is on top of the 34 courses that were discounted at the start of Semester 1 2020, which included:
- Certificate II in Introduction to Aged Care - approx. $975 in 2017, reduced to $486 for 2020
- Certificate III in Individual Support - approx. $1,804 in 2017, reduced to $899 for 2020
- Certificate IV in Ageing Support - approx. $2,698 in 2017, reduced to $1,345 for 2020
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.
The expanded Lower Fees, Local Skills program will ensure residents in the Peel region can access affordable training to help them get back into jobs as the economy recovers from COVID-19.
It is expected that the expansion 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 new and existing students already enrolled in those courses, over the second half of 2020 and during 2021.
The package includes $25 million for 'Free TAFE Short Courses' that have been developed in consultation with industry to engage displaced workers and youth and meet immediate and emerging skill requirements as the economy recovers.
Free short courses available at Mandurah TAFE will include:
- Work in Community Care Skill Set - providing essential skills for entry level opportunities in community care
- Work in Hospitality Skill Set - providing pre-employment, work readiness training articulates into Certificate II and III traineeships
- Provide Individual Support Skill Set - providing essential skills for entry level opportunities to work in individual support roles
Mandurah MP David Templeman said the slashed fees and free skill courses will drive economic activity in the Peel community.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in devastating job losses and unemployment across our community - training and upskilling is a crucial step in getting people back to work," he said.
"The new free skills courses will enable Mandurah residents to upskill and get back into work in key areas that are helping to drive economic activity across the state."
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The free short courses will provide a launch-pad for students to up-skill for new jobs and provide pathways to full qualifications.
The free short courses can also be used as a credit towards a full qualification from the expanded Lower Fees, Local Skills initiative.
For more information visit www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au or contact your local Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64.