Vocational training is set to become more accessible for South West residents with the State government's recent announcement of a $57 million training sector recovery package.
South Regional TAFE has announced it will offer a raft of short courses and qualifications under the new package, which align with the State's immediate economic needs following the pandemic.
In a statement released this week, the college said the recovery package announcement was timely given the demand for skilled workers needed to rebuild businesses and communities.
"The college's Jobs and Skills Centres are working closely with local business and industry operators to ensure students leaving the college are equipped with appropriate skills to meet their needs.
"The Margaret River campus will be offering job ready skill sets in customer service, business ready, operating a small business, commercial kitchen, hospitality service and individual support."
These skill sets are free to eligible students, including displaced workers, concession students and youth up to age 25 and not at school.
The Margaret River campus will also deliver a COVID-19 direct care skill set, which is 100 per cent free for everyone.
The lower fees, local skills list was also expanded, with the campus delivering six qualifications with half-price course fees:
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
- Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)
- Certificate III in Horticulture (Semester 1, 2021)
- Certificate II in Kitchen Operations (Semester 1, 2021)
- Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (Semester1, 2021)
South Regional TAFE Managing Director Sue Lapham said the package would make training more affordable to the people of Margaret River and surrounding areas.
"The skill sets are short courses that will upskill students for jobs and provide pathways to full qualifications," Ms Lapham said.
"It is pleasing to see interest in these skill sets and half-price courses from local residents keen to gain new work skills or get back into the workforce," she said.
"The Jobs and Skills Centres are available to everyone in the community, and they provide free, practical help to get people into jobs as well as incentives for employers recruiting staff."
For more information on courses and eligibility for the free skill sets, visit the South Regional TAFE website at www.southregionaltafe.wa.edu.au/skillsready
