The McGowan Labor Government's 50 per cent cut to TAFE fees is already having a positive impact, with early data showing a 20 per cent increase in TAFE enrolments.
Half price fees on 34 priority courses have now commenced. Preliminary data from all five TAFE colleges shows a 20 per cent increase in student enrolments, with strong take-up in high priority courses.
Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade (Heavy/Welding YH) has seen an additional 146 students enrol compared to 2019, an increase of 85 per cent.
Certificate IV in Cyber Security has seen and additional 114 enrolments, an 85 per cent increase.
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is up by 191 students, or 40 per cent, and student numbers for Certificate IV in Preparation for Health and Nursing Studies are up 123 students, or 31 per cent.
The 50 per cent fee reductions have been targeted to align with emerging skills shortages and important sectors of the local economy including aged and disability care, METRONET and civil construction, defence, hospitality and tourism.
Premier Mark McGowan and Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery today visited the Joondalup campus of North Metropolitan TAFE to meet with Western Australia's up-and-coming student chefs.
Enrolled in the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery, the students are cutting their teeth in fully equipped kitchens and the Pavilion a 'la carte restaurant, which is a real-life training environment for the next generation of star chefs, wait staff and front of house staff.
This year, the commercial cookery qualification is proving popular with early data showing an increase in enrolments of more than 20 per cent across all of the five TAFE colleges, compared to the same time last year.
The commercial cookery program is not the only qualification proving popular this year. Early data shows students are keen to capitalise on the 'lower fees, local skills' initiative with enrolments for a number of courses on the rise.
The lower fees, local skills webpage has been viewed more than 105,000 times since the initiative was announced in October 2019.
For more information on lower fees, local skills and a full list of half price courses visit http://www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au or contact your local Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"My Government has made TAFE a priority, and the early enrolment figures for our 50 per cent cut to TAFE fees are very encouraging.
"Our cut to TAFE fees is aimed at getting young Western Australians back into training after the huge increases inflicted by the previous Liberal National Government.
"This is a key plank of our plan to bring TAFE back to its former glory, by encouraging more Western Australians to undertake training in key industries."
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"There are some fantastic career opportunities for chefs and cooks, but to get those top jobs you will need a qualification and be job ready.
"It is wonderful to see these young people at the start of their careers, getting the skills they need for future jobs, without having to pay substantial course fees.
"The lower fees, local skills initiative is making training more affordable for thousands of Western Australians and also supporting job growth areas and the diversification of our economy, now and long into the future."
