- Investment and collaboration by Cook and Albanese Labor governments
- $113.6 million joint investment under $1.34 billion National Skills Agreement
- Funding to grow VET workforce to deliver in-demand skills and foundation skills training
- Focus on improving Closing the Gap outcomes for Aboriginal Western Australians
The Cook and Albanese Labor governments have today announced $113.6 million in joint funding to deliver a range of skills initiatives for Western Australians.
The funding will be provided under the landmark $1.34 billion National Skills Agreement (NSA), to deliver four initiatives across the vocational education and training sector.
The funding will enable WA to improve training completions, deepen its response to Closing the Gap for Aboriginal Western Australians, grow the VET workforce to deliver in-demand skills training, and improve access to foundation skills training.
The three-year joint investment includes:
- $46.5 million to improve support provided to apprentices and trainees - especially among priority groups - to complete their training and take up skilled jobs;
- $43.9 million to expand investment, in partnership with the Aboriginal Community-Controlled and Aboriginal-owned training sector, to deliver better training and employment outcomes for Aboriginal people;
- $15.2 million investment in WA's VET workforce capacity and capability to grow and retain a high-quality VET workforce, including the Aboriginal VET workforce; and
- $8 million to expand foundation skills support, including expansion of the Read Write Now program into remote communities.
The latest funding builds on the $85.1 million funded by the Cook and Albanese governments under the NSA for the Clean Energy Skills National Centre of Excellence and the Defence Industry Skills Centre of Excellence.
As stated by Skills and TAFE Minister 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."
Comments attributed to Federal Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles:
"The Albanese and Cook Labor governments are backing TAFE and training across WA, so that every Western 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."
