❓ Mrs. Clarke questions the Premier on the effectiveness of the government's TAFE investment within the $5.5 billion recovery plan, particularly in the Peel region. The Premier responds positively, highlighting fee reductions and increased enrolments.
AnsweredQoN 674Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS —
STATE ECONOMIC RECOVERY PLAN — TAFE
674. Mrs R.M.J. CLARKE to the Premier:
I
refer to the McGowan Labor government's $5.5 billion recovery plan,
which includes an unprecedented investment in TAFE and training.
Can the Premier update the house on
how this government's investment is helping those Western Australians
affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19, to retrain and reskill
particularly those in the Peel region?
STATE ECONOMIC RECOVERY PLAN — TAFE
674. Mrs R.M.J. CLARKE to the Premier:
I
refer to the McGowan Labor government's $5.5 billion recovery plan,
which includes an unprecedented investment in TAFE and training.
Can the Premier update the house on
how this government's investment is helping those Western Australians
affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19, to retrain and reskill
particularly those in the Peel region?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Murray–Wellington
for the question. Our recovery plan relies very heavily on a record investment in
TAFE across Western Australia. We have put in place a significant reduction in
TAFE fees, unlike the previous government, which put up TAFE fees by up to 500
per cent for ordinary Western Australians who want to go to TAFE. We launched
our lower fees, local skills policy late last year for 34 high-priority
courses. We followed up with a further 39 higher priority courses in July this
year as part of our recovery plan. That saw many course fees cut by up to 72
per cent across Western Australia. It means that it will be far easier for some
workers displaced or some people wanting to retrain. At some of the TAFE
colleges, particularly the one in Albany that I visited, I met people
undergoing a nursing qualification, who were very excited and had a role, because
fees were far more affordable.
We have seen a huge surge in the
number of enrolments in those priority courses; they have increased by more than 20 per cent since we have put in place these
changes, which is a record increase. Across regional WA, there has been
a massive increase in enrolments. In the Peel region, enrolments are up by 278
students, and this complements our $9.17 million investment in Mandurah TAFE.
In the great southern, enrolments are up by 422 students and that complements
our $17 million investment in the trades workshop at Albany South Regional
TAFE. In the south west, enrolments are up by 372 students. Obviously, some of
our investments in TAFE down there will work well as a consequence. We have seen strong growth in certificate III courses
across a range of areas—electrotechnology , electricians, early
childhood education care, civil construction plant operations and hospitality,
with thousands of additional students enrolling in those courses. Our
investment in infrastructure and in making fees more affordable will pay long-term dividends for Western Australia.
Making sure that Western Australians can access TAFE is a very important
part of our state's recovery from COVID. This government is getting on
and doing it with hundreds of millions of dollars of additional investment in
TAFE infrastructure and making courses more affordable. What is more, the Labor
Party is the only party that supports TAFE in Western Australia. The record
shows that this government, compared with the last government, has put far more
effort into TAFE.
for the question. Our recovery plan relies very heavily on a record investment in
TAFE across Western Australia. We have put in place a significant reduction in
TAFE fees, unlike the previous government, which put up TAFE fees by up to 500
per cent for ordinary Western Australians who want to go to TAFE. We launched
our lower fees, local skills policy late last year for 34 high-priority
courses. We followed up with a further 39 higher priority courses in July this
year as part of our recovery plan. That saw many course fees cut by up to 72
per cent across Western Australia. It means that it will be far easier for some
workers displaced or some people wanting to retrain. At some of the TAFE
colleges, particularly the one in Albany that I visited, I met people
undergoing a nursing qualification, who were very excited and had a role, because
fees were far more affordable.
We have seen a huge surge in the
number of enrolments in those priority courses; they have increased by more than 20 per cent since we have put in place these
changes, which is a record increase. Across regional WA, there has been
a massive increase in enrolments. In the Peel region, enrolments are up by 278
students, and this complements our $9.17 million investment in Mandurah TAFE.
In the great southern, enrolments are up by 422 students and that complements
our $17 million investment in the trades workshop at Albany South Regional
TAFE. In the south west, enrolments are up by 372 students. Obviously, some of
our investments in TAFE down there will work well as a consequence. We have seen strong growth in certificate III courses
across a range of areas—electrotechnology , electricians, early
childhood education care, civil construction plant operations and hospitality,
with thousands of additional students enrolling in those courses. Our
investment in infrastructure and in making fees more affordable will pay long-term dividends for Western Australia.
Making sure that Western Australians can access TAFE is a very important
part of our state's recovery from COVID. This government is getting on
and doing it with hundreds of millions of dollars of additional investment in
TAFE infrastructure and making courses more affordable. What is more, the Labor
Party is the only party that supports TAFE in Western Australia. The record
shows that this government, compared with the last government, has put far more
effort into TAFE.
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