❓ Mr. Murray raises concerns about postponed electrical apprenticeships at South West Institute of Technology due to a lecturer shortage. The parliamentary secretary outlines actions taken to address the shortage and alternative training arrangements.
AnsweredQoN 21Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SOUTH WEST INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY —
ELECTRICAL APPRENTICESHIPS
21. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Training and Workforce Development:
I refer to media reports and constituent information that the
South West Institute of Technology has not been able to find a lecturer for the
first-year electrical apprentices who were set to begin classes this month and
that the South West Institute of Technology has advised that 48 first-year
electrical apprenticeship classes have been indefinitely postponed for this
term at Bunbury. Can the parliamentary secretary advise the following —
(1) What
action has been taken to secure a lecturer at the South West Institute of
Technology so that electrical apprentices are not forced to travel hundreds of
kilometres to undertake their technical education as part of their training?
(2) Is the
parliamentary secretary aware that some south west first-year apprentices have
been told that they can undertake their TAFE training in Karratha if they wish; and does he consider that to be
acceptable?
(3) Will the
government intervene to ensure that these apprentices have access to courses in their local area?
ELECTRICAL APPRENTICESHIPS
21. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Training and Workforce Development:
I refer to media reports and constituent information that the
South West Institute of Technology has not been able to find a lecturer for the
first-year electrical apprentices who were set to begin classes this month and
that the South West Institute of Technology has advised that 48 first-year
electrical apprenticeship classes have been indefinitely postponed for this
term at Bunbury. Can the parliamentary secretary advise the following —
(1) What
action has been taken to secure a lecturer at the South West Institute of
Technology so that electrical apprentices are not forced to travel hundreds of
kilometres to undertake their technical education as part of their training?
(2) Is the
parliamentary secretary aware that some south west first-year apprentices have
been told that they can undertake their TAFE training in Karratha if they wish; and does he consider that to be
acceptable?
(3) Will the
government intervene to ensure that these apprentices have access to courses in their local area?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I
thank the member for his well-known interest in local jobs in the south west. I
am pleased to provide the following information. The South West Institute of
Technology and the Western Australian government recognise the importance of
providing young Western Australians with training opportunities. That is why we
have acted decisively to meet the growing demand for electrical lecturers. The
South West Institute of Technology has successfully recruited two new
electrical lecturers, who will commence their induction program next week, and has a further two candidates scheduled for
interviews this week. The South West Institute of Technology has continued to
advertise in the local papers. It is aware that the situation is urgent. The
institute has also taken media
opportunities and used local industry networks to attract the attention of local
electricians to encourage them to perhaps take advantage of a change in career
opportunities and lecture this next generation of electricians in the south
west.
Difficulties in meeting demand are a
clear signal that the expansion of the resources sector in Western Australia is
gathering speed, which is leading to the increased demand for specialist
skilled labour. To address the issues in the south west, the South West
Institute of Technology has negotiated for these young trainees to be provided
places at other apprentice centres and is looking at all options to further
respond to local employers. While the recruitment of new electrical lecturers
is being finalised, the South West Institute of Technology has arranged for
every apprentice to undergo training. Twenty-five first-year apprentices
attended the brand-new facilities at Pinjarra last week under an arrangement
with Polytechnic West. Members may have heard me rant on about that one as it
is a fantastic new facility. Two apprentices have taken up places at the
College of Electrical Training at Jandakot in the interim and five apprentices
have been included in a workplace training partnership with BHP on the Worsley
project. Arrangements have been made to deal with the apprentices in the short
term. The apprentice training centre at the Balga campus of Polytechnic West
has also been made available for people to use.
The notion of going to Karratha was
perhaps taken out of context. If by chance apprentices go to Karratha, maybe
they could be accommodated, but certainly no-one would expect anyone who
attends the south west campus to have to travel that far. I recognise the
member's interest in this very important area of training. I want to
remind members of this house that through the royalties for regions funding
this government has allocated $110.6 million across the next four years to
develop skills and training facilities and initiatives specifically in regional
Western Australia. This year $40.2 million has been allocated and some of that
money will go to the South West Institute of Technology, the Pinjarra
Polytechnic West, and right up to the Kimberley. It is a great initiative by
this government.
thank the member for his well-known interest in local jobs in the south west. I
am pleased to provide the following information. The South West Institute of
Technology and the Western Australian government recognise the importance of
providing young Western Australians with training opportunities. That is why we
have acted decisively to meet the growing demand for electrical lecturers. The
South West Institute of Technology has successfully recruited two new
electrical lecturers, who will commence their induction program next week, and has a further two candidates scheduled for
interviews this week. The South West Institute of Technology has continued to
advertise in the local papers. It is aware that the situation is urgent. The
institute has also taken media
opportunities and used local industry networks to attract the attention of local
electricians to encourage them to perhaps take advantage of a change in career
opportunities and lecture this next generation of electricians in the south
west.
Difficulties in meeting demand are a
clear signal that the expansion of the resources sector in Western Australia is
gathering speed, which is leading to the increased demand for specialist
skilled labour. To address the issues in the south west, the South West
Institute of Technology has negotiated for these young trainees to be provided
places at other apprentice centres and is looking at all options to further
respond to local employers. While the recruitment of new electrical lecturers
is being finalised, the South West Institute of Technology has arranged for
every apprentice to undergo training. Twenty-five first-year apprentices
attended the brand-new facilities at Pinjarra last week under an arrangement
with Polytechnic West. Members may have heard me rant on about that one as it
is a fantastic new facility. Two apprentices have taken up places at the
College of Electrical Training at Jandakot in the interim and five apprentices
have been included in a workplace training partnership with BHP on the Worsley
project. Arrangements have been made to deal with the apprentices in the short
term. The apprentice training centre at the Balga campus of Polytechnic West
has also been made available for people to use.
The notion of going to Karratha was
perhaps taken out of context. If by chance apprentices go to Karratha, maybe
they could be accommodated, but certainly no-one would expect anyone who
attends the south west campus to have to travel that far. I recognise the
member's interest in this very important area of training. I want to
remind members of this house that through the royalties for regions funding
this government has allocated $110.6 million across the next four years to
develop skills and training facilities and initiatives specifically in regional
Western Australia. This year $40.2 million has been allocated and some of that
money will go to the South West Institute of Technology, the Pinjarra
Polytechnic West, and right up to the Kimberley. It is a great initiative by
this government.
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