❓ Question regarding the discontinuation of 'thin market' apprenticeships and traineeships by Polytechnic West, including costs, alternative providers, and support for students training interstate. The answer provides costs, identifies alternative providers, and outlines financial support for interstate training.
AnsweredQoN 4058Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Further to the answer to Question Without Notice No. 248 on 26 March 2015 where the Minister advised "Polytechnic West (is) no longer offering a range of aprrenticeships and traineeships in what we refer to as thin market" and ask what courses previously provided by Polytechnic West: (a) will no longer be provided; (b) what was/is the cost to Polytechnic West of conducting each of those courses; (c) what is the cost per student to Polytechnic West of conducting each of those courses; and (d) what is/was the cost per student of undertaking each of those courses? (2) With respect to each of the courses that will no longer be provided: (a) has the Government contracted an institute to provide the training for each of the courses; (b) what courses will be provided by what institute/s; and (c) what is the cost to: (i) the Government providing each course through the institute/s; (ii) the Government per student of providing each course through the institute/s; and (iii) to the student of undertaking each course through the institute? (3) Will each of the courses provided by the institute/s be provided in Western Australia, and if not, what course/s will be provided in another State or Territory? (4) Who will be responsible for meeting the students airfares, accommodation and out of pocket expenses of undertaking training in that other State or Territory?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 June 2015
Responded by
Minister for Training and Workforce Development
Response time
42 days
(1)(a) [See tabled paper no.]
(b) The estimated cost is based on delivery costs in 2013, which is the point at which the exit from the thin markets commenced. The costs factor one lecturer salary as well as associated support, resource, management and corporate costs. [See tabled paper no.]
(c) The cost per student has been calculated by dividing the estimated cost for thin market delivery by the number of apprentices enrolled across all stages of the course in year 1, 2 and 3 in 2013 [See tabled paper no.]
(d) The cost per student to undertake each course in 2013 was capped at $626 per student per annum, exclusive of resource fees.
(2)(a) Yes.
(b) [See tabled paper no.]
(c)(i) The cost will be determined by the number of students that undertake the course. For example, if no students are enrolled in a course in a given year, there will be no cost.
(c)(ii) An indicative cost per student per annum has been provided for each of the listed qualifications [See tabled paper no.].
The cost per student will vary based on the agreed hourly rate for training delivery and the number of hours associated with the course. The costs are based on 2015 funding rates. Typically, an apprentice will undertake their course of study over a three-year period.
(c)(iii) Refer to the attached table for an indicative cost to the student of undertaking the course. The cost is based on full fee paying student rates. Concession rates for eligible students are 50% less. The fees are based on 2015 rates and show the approximate cost per annum. Typically, an apprentice will undertake their course of study over a three-year period. It should be noted that for many apprentices, the employer meets the cost of the course fees and charges.
(3) [See tabled paper no.]
(4) The State Government, through funding provided by the Department of Training and Workforce Development's Travel Allowance and Accommodation policy, will pay the student's airfare and provide $110.00 per night to cover accommodation costs.
(b) The estimated cost is based on delivery costs in 2013, which is the point at which the exit from the thin markets commenced. The costs factor one lecturer salary as well as associated support, resource, management and corporate costs. [See tabled paper no.]
(c) The cost per student has been calculated by dividing the estimated cost for thin market delivery by the number of apprentices enrolled across all stages of the course in year 1, 2 and 3 in 2013 [See tabled paper no.]
(d) The cost per student to undertake each course in 2013 was capped at $626 per student per annum, exclusive of resource fees.
(2)(a) Yes.
(b) [See tabled paper no.]
(c)(i) The cost will be determined by the number of students that undertake the course. For example, if no students are enrolled in a course in a given year, there will be no cost.
(c)(ii) An indicative cost per student per annum has been provided for each of the listed qualifications [See tabled paper no.].
The cost per student will vary based on the agreed hourly rate for training delivery and the number of hours associated with the course. The costs are based on 2015 funding rates. Typically, an apprentice will undertake their course of study over a three-year period.
(c)(iii) Refer to the attached table for an indicative cost to the student of undertaking the course. The cost is based on full fee paying student rates. Concession rates for eligible students are 50% less. The fees are based on 2015 rates and show the approximate cost per annum. Typically, an apprentice will undertake their course of study over a three-year period. It should be noted that for many apprentices, the employer meets the cost of the course fees and charges.
(3) [See tabled paper no.]
(4) The State Government, through funding provided by the Department of Training and Workforce Development's Travel Allowance and Accommodation policy, will pay the student's airfare and provide $110.00 per night to cover accommodation costs.
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