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WA TAFE colleges experience a surge in enrolments thanks to landmark partnership
Freya Lucas
Feb 27, 2023
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Western Australian TAFE colleges are experiencing a surge in enrolments in Fee-Free courses, including in early childhood education and care (ECEC) courses, thanks to a landmark partnership between the Australian and Western Australian Governments.
Fee-Free training is now available across more than 100 courses including a range of qualifications and skill sets with all Western Australians eligible to access the program at WA TAFE colleges and training providers. More than half of the 18,800 Fee-Free places provided under the agreement have already been snapped up by Western Australians, with almost 13,000 enrolments in Fee-Free courses and skill sets in semester one, highlighting the demand for and the importance of access to education and training.
"The encouraging take-up of Fee-Free TAFE and VET courses following the agreement between the Commonwealth and Western Australian Government is a positive sign that people are ready to train for vital industries that will be in demand now and in the future,” WA Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O'Connor said.
The Free in '23 initiative, designed to boost skills development in priority areas, is already achieving results. ECEC qualifications have been some of the most popular, along with aged and disability care, nursing and technology.
Women and young people aged 15 to 24 years of age in particular are enjoying the benefits of Fee-Free training for full qualifications, making up 66 per cent and 41 per cent of the cohort respectively. In WA, plans are also underway to implement the Australian Government's $8.2 million TAFE Technology Fund to improve training facilities in the State. Learn more about the initiative here.
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