More Western Australians are receiving on-the-job training in the skills needed by local industry than ever before, with the number of apprentices and trainees in training in WA climbing to 47,700 for the first time.
Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery today revealed the latest apprenticeship and traineeship numbers at the SkillsWest Careers and Employment Expo, which runs until Saturday 27 August at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Made possible by the McGowan Government's strategic investment in the training sector, the number of apprentices and trainees in training reached a record of more than 47,700 by the end of June - the first time the number has surpassed 45,000 in a decade.
The unprecedented figures were bolstered by a record-breaking number of training contracts registered last month, when 4,490 registrations were recorded.
Completions have also risen, with more than 10,300 people completing an apprenticeship or traineeship in 2021-22, up 16 per cent from the previous year.
Apprenticeships with the most significant completion increases were mechanical fitters (up 71 per cent), automotive electricians (up 70 per cent), heavy mobile mechanics (up 46 per cent) and heavy/welding fabricators (up 42 per cent).
The McGowan Government's significant efforts to connect Western Australians with local jobs received another boost today with the announcement of three new higher-level traineeships to address skill needs in the crucial Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.
Established following industry feedback, the new qualifications will provide an employment-based training pathway for new workers, and enable existing workers to upskill and re-skill.
They are also heavily subsidised through the McGowan Government's highly successful "Lower fees, local skills" initiative, which is keeping training affordable and accessible across a range of in-demand occupations.
Traineeships are now available in:
- Certificate IV in Cyber Security
- Diploma of Information Technology; and
- Advanced Diploma of Information Technology.
All three traineeships have been added to the Existing Worker Traineeship program, which will reduce course fees for a set number of existing ICT workers, to support employers in enhancing the skills of their workforces and meeting current and future business needs.
Trainees will gain a nationally recognised qualification that combines employment and training. Following the completion of the higher-level traineeship, they may also progress to higher education studies.
Additionally, two existing traineeships have been varied to attract more people to the ICT VET pathways, including school students and those looking to specialise in gaming development, programming, networking and web development.
Graduates of the traineeships will have developed key skills for a range of industries that require ICT specialists, such as defence, telecommunications, logistics, finance and government.
The results of the McGowan Government's five years of investment in the sector come as Perth hosts WA's biggest showcase of jobs, skills and training at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Now in its 13th year, the expo provides jobseekers and students with free advice and interactive experiences to inspire their future careers, with a strong focus on apprenticeships and traineeships.
Up to 15,000 people, including secondary students, graduates and career-changers, are expected to attend the event, which brings 140 employers and training organisations together under one roof.
Staff from TAFE colleges and Jobs and Skills Centres are on hand to provide free and practical advice on apprenticeship, training and career opportunities, including the State Government's $22 million Career Taster Program.
The expo also features an entire pavilion dedicated to WorldSkills regional competitions, where the State's best are competing for medal positions while showcasing their trade and skill talent.
For more information on the SkillsWest Careers and Employment Expo visit http://skillswestexpo.com.au/, and to find out more about the ICT traineeships visit www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/ict.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"The McGowan Government's five years of strong investment in training and workforce initiatives is delivering record training results and world-class learning and job opportunities for Western Australians.
"Apprentices and trainees are an important workforce resource, and are particularly valuable to employers in the later stages of their training, so this latest surge in their numbers is adding to the pipeline of skilled workers available in WA.
"The number of fully qualified apprentices completing their four years of training is also on the rise, which is fantastic news for local industry at a time when many employers are crying out for skilled workers.
"This year's SkillsWest Expo comes at an opportune time, as WA's nation-topping economic performance and very low unemployment rate put job seekers in prime position to enter the workforce or training and make their dream careers a reality.
"The expo provides a window into the incredible array of careers, jobs and training opportunities on offer, as well as the practical support available to help Western Australians of all ages and backgrounds access training and jobs.
"There has also never been a better time to enter WA's exciting and vital ICT sector, with new traineeships offering a great opportunity to upskill or reskill at a low cost."
As stated by Australian Information Industry Association WA Council Chair Sharon Brown:
"The Australian Information Industry Association welcomes the creation of the new ICT traineeships, as they provide more pathways to enter the ICT industry and provide a boost to our sector.
"We have worked closely with government on the creation of the new training pathways which will support us to address our skills need while providing Western Australians with the opportunity to upskill or re-skill for exciting careers in the industry.
"Government has listened to our needs, and it's great to be able to work together to deliver a pipeline of locally skilled workers needed in WA."
