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TAFE fee cut a big boost for students

Chloe FraserSound Telegraph
Baldivis MLA Reece Whitby and Year 12 student Jason Alexander. Baldivis MLA Reece Whitby and Year 12 student Jason Alexander.
Camera IconBaldivis MLA Reece Whitby and Year 12 student Jason Alexander. Baldivis MLA Reece Whitby and Year 12 student Jason Alexander. Credit: Picture: Chloe Fraser

The cost of some courses at Rockingham TAFE has been slashed by up to 72 per cent as part of the State Government’s $57 million recovery package to provide more training opportunities for locals seeking skilled jobs following COVID-19.

The initiative will deliver 15 free short courses and slash TAFE fees for an additional 39 courses as part of the WA Recovery Plan.

The expansion of the Lower Fees, Local Skills initiative that rolled out before COVID-19 will see 12 courses at Rockingham TAFE slashed by as much as 72 per cent, on top of the five courses that were discounted at Rockingham TAFE at the start of Semester 1 this year.

Year 12 student Jason Alexander, pictured, will benefit from the reduced fees.

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The Baldivis Secondary College student hopes to become a boilermaker and will enrol in Certificate III in Engineering — Fabrication Trade after he graduates.

Baldivis MLA Reece Whitby said the reduced fees would help local young people find career paths in secure jobs.

“This is just the shot in the arm that our local young job seekers were looking for,” Mr Whitby said.

“This initiative will help our local school leavers and young people get the skills needed for long-term, well-paid jobs.

“The job market has been devastated by COVID19 and this is about getting the State’s economy moving again by making sure we have the skilled local workers we need.”

From the second semester, the maximum annual fee students will pay is capped at $400 for concession students and youth and $1200 for non-concession students.

It is expected that the expansion to the Lower Fees, Local Skills initiative will increase annual TAFE enrolments by more than 6000 students and provide fee relief to more than 27,000 new and existing students already enrolled in those courses, over the second half of 2020 and during 2021.

The package includes $25 million for Free TAFE Short Courses to engage displaced workers and youth, and meet immediate and emerging skill requirements as the economy recovers.

Free short courses available at Rockingham TAFE will include a Training for Emerging Jobs course that will provide individual skills set and introduction to cyber security, as well as a small business course.

The free short courses will provide a launch pad for students to up-skill for new jobs and provide pathways to full qualifications and can also be used as a credit towards a full qualification from the expanded Lower Fees, Local Skills initiative.

For more information visit jobsandskills.wa.gov.au or contact your local Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64.

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