Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery and Mandurah MLA David Templeman today met with students who are doing a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community) at South Metropolitan TAFE's (SM TAFE) Mandurah campus.
Providing a stepping stone into a career as an aged care assistant, the course is proving popular at the campus this year.
The Certificate III in Individual Support is one of nine qualifications available at the Mandurah campus this semester that are eligible for reduced fees under the McGowan Government's 'lower fees, local skills' initiative.
The initiative, which saw 34 priority courses become half price at the start of the year, is designed to stimulate training in key areas including health care and social assistance.
Lower fees, local skills is already having a positive impact on enrolments in priority TAFE courses, with SM TAFE Mandurah campus seeing strong enrolment growth in courses included in the reduced fees initiative.
Early enrolment activity is also showing increases in Certificate III in Tourism, and Certificate III in Commercial Cookery and there is interest in the new Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) qualification.
Early data indicates a general 20 per cent increase in enrolments in the 34 priority courses across TAFE colleges.
For a full list of half price courses available through the lower fees, local skills initiative visit http://www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au or contact your local Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"As the demand for aged care services increases, so does the demand for qualified, skilled and experienced aged care workers to provide these services.
"Reduced course fees make training more affordable and accessible to the community, which is important to help youth in Mandurah gain skills for employment opportunities.
"Our lower fees, local skills initiative caps annual fees for youth and concession students at $400 to make it more affordable for students wanting to do courses that lead to jobs in growth industries."
As stated by Mandurah MLA David Templeman:
"Mandurah has experienced high youth unemployment.
"Training is an effective way of combating these issues to help them prepare for employment opportunities.
"We are removing barriers to entry and helping young people on their way to a great career."
