Western Australians continue to jump at opportunities from the State Government's investment in affordable training, with a new record high of over 153,800 publicly funded vocational course enrolments recorded in 2023.
Publicly funded course enrolments increased almost 10 per cent from 2022 and builds on the State's previous record of 150,310 enrolments in 2021.
There were more than 38,300 publicly funded enrolments in fee free courses and skill sets in 2023, up 33 per cent on the same period in 2022. An additional 57,994 enrolments were recorded through the Lower fees, local skills initiative.
Both the 2023 and 2021 records were driven by a strong uptake in the State Government's free and low fee courses.
The State Government's strategic investment in training, targeted at priority sectors and cohorts, is working, with more Western Australians than ever getting the skills industries need.
Health care and social assistance qualifications - including early childhood education and care, individual support, and nursing - continue to attract strong interest among fee free courses into 2024, after recording some of the biggest enrolment increases in 2023.
There were also an additional 57,994 enrolments recorded through the Lower fees, local skills initiative, with would-be tradies snapping up opportunities in heavily discounted courses. Some of the most popular courses were in electrical, civil construction, engineering and carpentry.
Strong participation in vocational training is essential for meeting Western Australia's skills needs now and into the future, and as the State Government positions the State to take up opportunities from the transition to a net zero economy.
The Western Australian training sector is already helping Western Australians build the skills they need to decarbonise the economy and transition to clean energy, in areas such as construction, engineering, logistics, maritime, gas fitting, and electrical trades.
Fee free and low fee courses are also proving effective in removing cost barriers to training for groups under-represented in WA's workforce.
A significant increase in the number of students reporting disability were among the biggest successes of the 2023 fee free courses, with publicly funded enrolments up by 19 per cent, or 2,200 additional enrolments, compared to 2022.
Publicly funded training enrolments by women increased by 12 per cent in 2023. Around two-thirds of all enrolments in fee free full qualifications in 2023 were undertaken by women.
There were more than 12,450 enrolments by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in 2023 - up five per cent - or just over 500 additional enrolments compared to 2022. Eight per cent of all publicly funded enrolments across WA were undertaken by Aboriginal people.
The State Government announced an $8 million top-up in the 2024-25 State Budget to continue to meet high demand for the successful Fee Free TAFE initiative in 2025.
The State Government is also driving the largest TAFE capital works program in WA's history, with 15 projects to upgrade essential infrastructure at TAFE colleges across the State thanks to a $250 million investment. A further $25 million has been invested in modernising equipment at TAFEs across WA.
Premier Roger Cook said, "My Government is committed to training local people for local jobs - ensuring all Western Australians can benefit from our booming economy.
"It's exciting, but not surprising, to see record numbers of students snapping up opportunities to study at TAFE, on the back of my Government's free and low cost training.
"These qualifications will set thousands of West Australians up for rewarding, well-paying careers - and ensure we can get boots on the ground on the industries where we need them most."
Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk added, "More West Australians are in training than ever before - it's great to see so many locals answering the call and getting the skills they need to land jobs and transform their lives.
"Our free and low-cost training has been a game-changer - helping record numbers of people learn skills in areas where they're needed most, such as the care sector, construction and hospitality.
"It's particularly encouraging to see more First Nations people, young people, women - and other groups under-represented in the workforce getting the skills they need to get ahead - which is absolutely vital as grow our workforce.
"We're doing everything we can to train a pipeline of workers that will help fill jobs for many years to come."
