30 more qualifications half price for 2022, and new EWTs!
Childcare the centrepiece of $103M training expansion
The State Government's Lower fees, local skills program has been extended again, with another 30 qualifications discounted along with the introduction of reduced fees for workers in critical industries needing to upskill.
The 30 new qualifications will have course fees discounted by up to 72 per cent, from 1 January 2022. This will bring the total number of reduced-fee qualifications to 210, offering great opportunities for Western Australians to get into training. The 30 additional Lower fees, local skills courses cover a range of industries including train driving, veterinary nursing, crane operations, surveying, laboratory technology, childcare, hospitality management, healthcare and retail.
The Lower fees, local skills initiative has so far trained more than 72,600 Western Australians in 2021. Applications are now open for 2022 through TAFEs and training providers.
Find out more at jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/skillsready
You can also contact your local Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64, or your local TAFE college or training provider, for more information.
Workers in industries which have a critical need to upskill workers – including childcare, aged and disability care, and civil construction – will be able to access low fee existing worker traineeships. The childcare industry has an urgent need to upskill existing workers, to meet the sector's mandatory accreditation requirements for a qualified workforce. This new initiative will see thousands of dollars of savings for workers looking to upskill – for example; childcare workers will be able to benefit from massive discounts to the Diploma of Early Childhood and Care (a $7,256 non-concession saving). The low fee places for childcare commenced this month, to address the immediate need.
Pictured: Premier Mark McGowan, Minister for Education and Training Sue Ellery, and Minister for Community Services
Simone McGurk at the Warriapendi Early Learning Centre in Balga, announcing the new initiatives today.
Workers looking to upskill in aged and disability care, and civil construction, will also be able to access savings in the thousands when the low fees for existing worker traineeships in these sectors come into effect from 1 January 2022.
For more information, visit jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/ewt
You can also contact your local Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64, or your local TAFE college or training provider, for more information.
“Through our Skills Summits, we have listened and are implementing initiatives that address industry needs. The low fee existing worker traineeships will target specific qualifications in the key sectors of childcare, aged and disability care, and civil construction which have a critical need to upskill workers. “ said Premier Mark McGowan.
“Training is vital in creating skilled workers to support our local businesses and communities.“ added Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery. "We will continue to invest in training to ensure the Western Australian economy has access to a pool of highly skilled workers to support key WA industries. We are skilling West Aussies for jobs in demand and this will provide a significant boost to industries including hospitality and healthcare, which will benefit from a highly skilled and locally available workforce.”
Kununurra first of two Regional Skills Summits in the Kimberley
Bringing local business and industry leaders together
The WA State Government’s series of Regional Skills Summits reached Kununurra today, with local business and government leaders meeting to discuss opportunities to grow the skilled workforce in the Kimberley. More than 25 government and regional business leaders from a range of sectors including the healthcare and social assistance, education and training, accommodation and food services, public administration and safety, construction and retail industries are attending.
The first of two Regional Skills Summits to be held in the region, the Kununurra-Kimberley Regional Skills Summit will generate further practical actions and new and innovative ideas to address the region’s unique skills needs. A second Kimberley Regional Skills Summit is scheduled for Broome on Monday, 15 November.
Recognising the importance of access to training to build a skilled workforce and retain people in regional areas, the State Government has been working to ensure its investment in training initiatives reaches all corners of the State. Kimberley locals are snapping up affordable training opportunities offered through the State Government’s Lower fees, local skills initiative, with a 34 per cent increase in enrolments in the region this year.
The State Government is also progressing targeted advertising campaigns to attract interstate workers and increase participation of under-represented groups in WA; has smoothed the pipeline of construction work; and is running a series of 10 Regional Skills Summits, including the one being held today.
WA employers have responded by taking on more apprentices and trainees in the Kimberley in 2021, with commencements up by 51 per cent in the 12 months to 31 July 2021.
A range of initiatives are already progressing from the Perth Skills Summit, to attract and retain skilled workers and continue our State’s strong economic growth. These initiatives include:
- attracting onshore skilled migrants to fill jobs in demand in WA;
- supporting mature age apprentices;
- promoting the tourism and hospitality industry to school students to grow the workforce;
- extending the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Reengagement Incentive;
- freezing regional Government rental accommodation to attract public sector workers to the regions;
- boosting Aboriginal youth employment opportunities; and
- providing support for jobseekers to obtain a driver’s licence.
Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery says “Regional Western Australia is vital to our State’s economic prosperity and today’s skills summit, along with another planned for Broome, will help provide a current picture of the Kimberley’s unique workforce and training needs. Our Government is keen to hear from business leaders about practical actions that can be taken in the Kimberley to help fill local jobs. Ideas and discussions captured at the Summit will inform a local action plan to address the Kimberley’s changing workforce needs, with a focus on local solutions to local issues.”.
Regional Skills Summit underway in Geraldton
Supporting the workforce needs of WA's Mid West region
The WA State Government is holding a Regional Skills Summit in Geraldton today – the third of 10 skills summits to be held in Western Australian regional centres this year. Hosted by Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education and Training Terry Healy, more than 30 government and regional business leaders from a range of sectors including the agriculture, construction, education and training, healthcare, hospitality and tourism, mining and retail industries are attending. The Geraldton-Mid West Regional Skills Summit will generate practical actions and new and innovative ideas that will form the basis of a local action plan to meet the region’s unique workforce needs.
Recognising the importance of access to training to build a skilled workforce and retain people in regional areas, the State Government has been working to ensure its investment in training initiatives reaches all corners of WA. Student course enrolments in the Mid West have increased by 23 per cent in the past year, driven by affordable training opportunities through the Lower fees, local skills program and strong growth in employment-based training. Mid West employers have responded by taking on more apprentices and trainees in 2021, with commencements up by more than 86 per cent in the year to 31 July 2021.
A range of initiatives are already progressing from the Perth Skills Summit, to attract and retain skilled workers and continue our State’s strong economic growth. These initiatives include:
- attracting onshore skilled migrants to fill jobs in demand in WA;
- supporting mature age apprentices;
- promoting the tourism and hospitality industry to school students to grow the workforce;
- extending the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Reengagement Incentive;
- freezing regional Government rental accommodation to attract public sector workers to the regions;
- boosting Aboriginal youth employment opportunities; and
- providing support for jobseekers experiencing disadvantage to obtain a driver’s licence.
The State Government is also progressing targeted advertising campaigns to attract interstate workers, and increase participation of under-represented groups in WA.
“Building a sustainable Mid West workforce that can support the region’s pipeline of economic activity requires industry and government to work together.“ said Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery. "Today’s summit is an opportunity for the region’s business leaders and government to identify and progress practical actions to meet the immediate and long term skills needs of the Mid West region. Insights from the summit will inform a local action plan to address changing workforce needs in the Mid West, with a focus on local solutions to local issues.”.
Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton said "I was thrilled to recently join the Premier in marking the start of construction for the upgrade at Geraldton TAFE. We have also seen a huge increase in TAFE enrolments in the Mid-West. There has been a big investment by the McGowan Government into training in the Mid-West, and this summit will help develop further ideas to assist the skills needs of the local workforce.".
Annual report 2020—21 now available
Training Western Australians for jobs and supporting the State’s economy
We are very pleased to announce that our Annual Report 2020—21 for the Department and our key VET partners were tabled by the Western Australian Parliament and is is now available.
The report provides the Western Australian Parliament and the community with an overview of our performance, as well as budget papers and other strategic documents. It offers transparency, accountability, and compliance with legislative and government policy requirements, focuses on key areas of achievement and describes the functions, operations and performance highlights of the Department over the period.
A key theme of this report iis our journey to recovery, highlighting our core focus to train Western Australians for jobs and support the State’s economy through fast-changing and uncertain times. As written by our A/Director General Karen Ho, last financial year saw mass job losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As we entered this financial year we envisioned and prepared for a long recovery, but instead — with the State’s economy recovering strongly from the COVID-19 pandemic — we are now seeing some of the most promising economic conditions in recent times. Some of the highlifhts include:
- VET student numbers increase by 25 per cent to almost 86,000;
- apprenticeship and traineeship commencements up by 79.3 per cent;
- a 25 per cent increase in enrolments for Aboriginal students;
- Jobs and Skills Centres across WA assisted 22,700 individual clients; and
- over $24 million paid to WA employers through financial incentives.
The report is a celebration of skills and training, highlighting some of the many success stories that were a result of our engagement and collaboration with industry. We invite you to take a look!
$121M investment in TAFE and training
WA State Budget delivers boost for training and jobs
Quality local jobs continue to be more accessible to Western Australians, as the WA State Government builds on its work to boost jobs and skills in WA, with a $121.4 million investment in skills and training in the 2021-22 State Budget.
This investment will deliver on election commitments to ensure TAFE and training continues to be more affordable and accessible, enabling local people to find work in local jobs throughout the State. Some of the key points announced are as follows.
Boost for VET in secondary schools
More WA students will be encouraged into vocational education and training (VET), with a $29.8 million boost to VET in school places for Year 11 and 12 students.
- Training places for school students will be increased by 8,000 to engage students in quality, industry relevant training, with options to attain their Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), while enhancing their post-school employment, education and training.
- A $19.2 million VET Career Taster Program will also be rolled out to Year 9 students from 2022. The State Government is already engaging with industry, schools and other key stakeholders to inform the program's development, with regional consultation about to commence.
Boost for apprenticeships and traineeships
There will be $32.4 million allocated to create 300 new jobs for apprentices and trainees. The funding will provide small and medium enterprises with access to 150 additional and highly subsidised apprentices and trainees in 2022, and again in 2023, to work on State Government projects.
Boost for TAFEs
WA's TAFE colleges will receive $25 million of modern equipment as part of a four-year program to upgrade and modernise TAFE facilities to contemporary industry standards — helping students, apprentices and trainees become more job-ready.
A $9.9 million investment over four years will support TAFE college lecturers to undertake industry placements to keep them at the forefront of innovation and quality education, and enable them to upskill and maintain industry standards, practices, qualifications and skills.
WA Training Awards 2021 finalists announced!
Our brightest VET stars step into the spotlight
Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery today announced the 37 finalists for the 2021 WA Training Awards.
Twenty seven exceptional individuals and 10 organisations have been named as finalists for 2021, showcasing excellence in the vocational education and training (VET) sector. Winners will be announced at a presentation ceremony on 17 September, and may go on to represent the state at the Australian Training Awards in November.
Congratulations to this year's finalists!
WA Apprentice of the Year 2021 finalists
Hayden Carvell (Mundaring), Joann Knight (Brabham), Stacey-Lee Boothman (Cooloongup), Christine Ferrone (Bayswater)
WA Trainee of the Year 2021 finalists
Bonnie Barber (Bridgetown), Amber Ugle-Hayward (Karrinyup), Vikki Doecke (Kelmscott)
WA Vocational Student of the Year 2021 finalists
Maxine Turner (Fremantle), Nerine Boulter (White Gum Valley), Meg Maroni (Albany), Zoe Tucker (Bayswater)
WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year 2021 finalists
Kevin Wilson (Victoria Park), Grant Syron (Como), Keira Gentle (Ridgewood), Sterling Winmar (Orelia)
WA School-based Apprentice of the Year 2021 finalists
Courtney Short (Ellenbrook), Taj Morris (Glenfield), Samantha Winter (Lower Chittering)
WA Cultural Diversity Training Award 2021 finalists
Marli Nicholls (Carlisle), Agnes Toluwade (Leeming)
WA International Student of the Year 2021 finalists
Johanna Faber (Yokine), Shalynn Buss (Lathlain), Aurelie Jammes (Scarborough)
WA Trainer of the Year 2021 finalists
Brendan Hibbert (North Metropolitan TAFE), Maryke Gray (Central Regional TAFE), Tarryn Drage (WiseClick Training), Robert Carter (South Regional TAFE)
WA Large Training Provider of the Year 2021 finalists
North Metropolitan TAFE, North Regional TAFE, South Metropolitan TAFE
WA Small Training Provider of the Year 2021 finalists
Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services RTO, Niche Education Group, Auswest Specialist Education and Training Services
WA Large Employer of the Year 2021 finalists
McDonald's Australia (WA), Byrnecut Australia
WA Medium Employer of the Year 2021 finalists
Ranger Drilling, Consolidated Group
Now in its 27th year, the Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of apprentices, trainees, employers and training organisations. As well as the recognition these respected awards bring, individual winners will receive $3,000 which they may use to further their training or kickstart their career, while organisation winners will be recognised as industry leaders.
The 2021 WA Training Awards are made possible thanks to continuing support from the WA State Training Board, MEGT, Apprenticeship Support Australia powered by CCIWA, the Electrical and Communications Association of Western Australia, Polly Farmer Foundation, Roy Hill, StudyPerth, and the Training Accreditation Council (TAC) WA.
Announcing the finalists today, Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery said "The WA Training Awards are the State’s premier training award program, showcasing excellence and putting our best talent in the spotlight. With WA’s economy thriving and the strongest in the nation, our State is experiencing training and employment opportunities like never before. High demand for skilled workers is providing new and exciting pathways for job seekers and career changers. I congratulate this year’s fine calibre of finalists, they are great ambassadors for Western Australia’s training system.”
Immediate boosts to WA workforce
New date set for Skills Summit 2021
Premier Mark McGowan today announced a range of immediate initiatives to support Western Australia’s skilled worker needs and confirmed the rescheduled Skills Summit will take place on Friday, July 30. The event was postponed late last month due to WA's four-day circuit breaker COVD-19 lockdown. In order to begin addressing the immediate needs of Western Australian businesses, a number of key measures will be implemented now.
NEW! Adult Apprenticeship Employer Incentive
The new $5.2 million Jobs and Skills WA Adult Apprenticeship Employer Incentive will help businesses maximise job opportunities for adult apprentices who bring the benefit of skills, experience and maturity to businesses. WA businesses eligible for the new incentive may receive up to $26,800 when they hire an adult apprentice.
This will assist with growing WA’s skilled workforce and maximise opportunities for mature age apprentices, who are often overlooked by employers due to the higher cost of adult wages.
Extension of Apprenticeship and Traineeship Reengagement Incentive
The successful Apprenticeship and Traineeship Re-engagement Incentive (ATRI) will be extended for a further 12 months, with an additional $4 million investment.
Since its commencement in July 2020, more than 1,600 apprentices and trainees have been re-engaged and given the opportunity to complete their training.
There are currently around 300 out of contract apprentices and trainees seeking a new employer across a range of industries.
Expansion of skilled migration program
The State Government has expanded the State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP) to provide a skilled migration pathway for temporary visa holders already in Australia.
The SNMP is a Commonwealth skilled migration program that allows States and Territories to attract temporary visa holders into occupations where there are vacancies not being met by local workers. An additional 134 occupations have been added to the WA Skilled Migration Occupation List from high demand industries.
With thousands of skilled temporary visa holders already in Australia, the changes to the SNMP will focus on attracting these skilled migrants to WA and assist businesses to retain visa holders already residing in WA.
For more information about SNMP, visit migration.wa.gov.au
Promotion of tourism and hospitality careers
A new partnership between Tourism WA and training council FutureNow will develop career programs for high-school students to highlight the vibrant career opportunities in tourism and hospitality.
It will include interactive demonstrations at the Skills West Careers Expo and a ‘chef ambassador’ program targeting students and teachers looking to upskill.
Regional rent increases for Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) frozen
The State Government has frozen rent increases for Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) in 2021—22, assisting regional towns to continue to attract and retain public sector workers such as police and teachers.
These measures are based on consultation with peak bodies, industry associations, industry training councils, WA unions and government agencies.
They will deliver immediate solutions for WA businesses’ skilled worker needs - with further short and long term actions to be identified at the rescheduled Skills Summit.
View the full media statement from the Premier and Minister here.
Pre-apprenticeships update for employers, RTOs, and students
Updated business rules, new guide, and fact sheet
Pre-apprenticeships are a valuable pathway into an apprenticeship program. Vocational education and training (VET) students are able to get hands on work experience in their intended field of study by undertaking a Certificate II level pre-apprenticeship, which offers a pathway to a full apprenticeship, or to employment, through a combination of training and work practice.
In a pre-apprenticeship, the registered training organisation (RTO) works with an employer to ensure the student is able to undertake meaningful tasks that contribute to their workplace skills. In circumstances where a real work placement is not possible, such as due to COVID-19 pandemic closures or where there are safety concerns, the RTO may organise simulated work practice for the pre-apprentice.
The WA Pre-apprenticeship Program Business Rules were recently updated following an extensive consultation with key stakeholders. The updated business rules encourage the use of real work placements with an employer, but also offer flexibility in the work practice component. The new work practice requirements are:
- a minimum of 150 hours of work practice (previously 50% of the nominal contact hours); and
- the work practice can be undertaken through work placements, simulated work practice or a combination of both (previously a minimum of 50% of the work practice had to be undertaken in a real workplace).
The new business rules and lists of current pre-apprenticeships are available from our website at dtwd.wa.gov.au/pa-guide.
New guide for industry and RTOs
The Department has produced a new guide for industry and RTOs on how to seek approval to establish a new pre-apprenticeship program.
View the new Guide to establishing a pre-apprenticeship pathway at dtwd.wa.gov.au/pa-guide
If you are looking for more information on pre-apprenticeships, please contact the Department’s Apprenticeship and Traineeship Policy team by email at apprenticeshippolicy@dtwd.wa.gov.au.
For secondary school students
A fact sheet explaining the benefits of the pre-apprenticeships in schools program, and a list of pre-apprenticeships in schools courses, are available on the Jobs and Skills WA website at jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/training/schools-and-school-students.
New $10M program to boost defence industry jobs
Defence Industry Pathways Program starting up in July!
The Commonwealth Government has launched a $10 million program that will provide West Australian high school graduates with a fully funded, 12-month traineeship to help grow WA’s defence industry workforce.
The Defence Industry Pathways Program, developed in partnership with South Metropolitan TAFE and WA's maritime defence industry, is a taster course designed to set participants on a path to an exciting defence industry career. The pilot program will support 120 students by mid-2022, with the first cohort of 20 set to begin in July.
The Defence Industry Pathways Program is open to WA school leavers who have completed Year 12. While the pilot will take place in and around the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson, it could be adapted for implementation in other Defence industry sites across Australia. Defence industry partners will provide supervision, mentoring and on the job training as part of the program, and South Metropolitan TAFE is providing trainees with on-campus study to undertake the academic modules of the traineeship. The Commonwealth Government will contribute almost $45,000 per trainee to fund their wages, on-costs and uniform including safety footwear.
For full details and how to apply, please visit the South Metropolitan TAFE website
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the Government’s unprecedented investments in Defence projects, would create another 1,000 jobs across the nation in the naval shipbuilding industry by 2023. “This program is designed to build a pipeline of talent that is ready to be part of Australia’s booming shipbuilding industry,” Minister Price said. “We are investing $75 billion in the maritime domain, focused on the construction, upgrade and sustainment of new and existing classes of naval vessels. With the increasing demand for workers in the shipbuilding industry in Western Australia, the maritime defence industry needs to grow its workforce. We must attract and retain the next generation of designers, engineers, scientists and technical tradespeople to our industry.
New free platform helping skilled up workers find jobs
Job Ready Connect launches online today
Minister for Education and Training Sue Ellery has today launched a new free online platform to connect job ready workers with the growing list of job opportunities available with Western Australian employers.
The new platform — Job Ready Connect — will connect jobseekers with employers. The platform guides graduates through the creation of an online profile highlighting their skills, experience, qualifications and accreditations; without the need for a resume. Employers are able to register for free on Job Ready Connect, to easily and securely search for and connect with candidates who have the skills and experience they require. Job Ready Connect is exclusively available to Job Ready program graduates and participating WA employers.
Job Ready Connect is now available at jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/jobreadyconnect
Job Ready programs were introduced by the WA State Government as part of a suite of training initiatives through Jobs and Skills WA, designed to support stimulus measures and WA’s economic recovery following COVID-19. The programs are designed to provide participants with the entry level skills and the industry experience employers are looking for in key industry areas. With Job Ready programs currently offered in Ageing and Disability, Bricklaying, and Civil Construction (Infrastructure), graduates of these programs will be the first users of the new Job Ready Connect platform. Employers in these sectors are encouraged to register their details to start connecting with job ready candidates who are motivated to gain work and further skills in these areas.
Find out more about Job Ready programs here
“The McGowan Government’s investment in infrastructure projects is supporting the State’s economic recovery and creating a pipeline of work and jobs for Western Australians.“ said the Minister today. "Job Ready Connect will take the new training pathways to employment provided by the Job Ready program a step further, helping graduates find jobs with employers. With opportunities to work in key sectors growing across metropolitan and regional WA, it’s a great time for Job Ready graduates to connect with employers and get to work.”
Construction Accelerated Apprenticeship Program launches!
Fast lane to trades qualification for WA construction workers
A new pilot program offering accelerated apprenticeship pathways for WA construction workers has been launched today by Premier Mark McGowan and Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery. The new Construction Accelerated Apprenticeship Program (CAAP) offers free skills assessment for construction industry workers with skills and experience, but without formal qualifications.
- To support WA's thriving construction industry, CAAP offers construction workers without formal qualifications the opportunity to have their existing skills recognised as a pathway into an apprenticeship, so that they can become trade qualified.
- Employers of apprentices will be able to access State and Australian Government incentives and wage subsidies.
The program is available for the non-licensed construction trades of carpentry and joinery, painting and decorating, bricklaying, tile laying, wall and ceiling fixing, plastering, sprinkler fitting, concreting, signwriting and stonemasonry.
CAAP was developed in consultation with key industry bodies and employers; including the Construction Training Fund, Housing Industry Association, Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation, BGC Housing Group, ABN Group, Master Builders WA and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union. The program is being run in partnership with WA metropolitan and regional TAFEs, who will conduct the free skills assessment component for participants.
Further information about the Construction Accelerated Apprenticeship Program is available on the Jobs and Skills WA website.
New WA Skills Summit coming up on 30 June
Skills priorities and new strategies to strengthen WA's workforce
The McGowan Labor Government has today announced new initiatives to maintain Western Australia’s strong economic growth and strengthen its local workforce.
Premier Mark McGowan and Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery have today announced a Western Australia 2021 Skills Summit for June 30, to meet with leaders across a number of sectors including the resources, defence, construction and healthcare industries. The aim of the summit is to hear from some of WA’s business leaders on what more can be done collaboratively, and more immediately, to address existing skills needs across sectors to ensure the WA workforce can continue to advance the State and keep WA globally competitive in the coming years.
The WA State Government has already invested heavily into training, including cutting TAFE fees to make re-skilling more affordable, and is delivering the biggest TAFE infrastructure build in WA history. “Our management of COVID-19 has provided confidence throughout our economy, which now presents short-term challenges associated with workforce pressures.“ says Premier Mark McGowan. "Building a sustainable local workforce that can meet our immediate and long term skills needs, and support our big pipeline of economic activity, is a key issue that required industry and government to work together. Creating high quality jobs and training Western Australians to do them is the centrepiece of our State’s strong economic recovery and I am looking forward to sitting down with leaders from a range of areas to make sure we can continue to do this.”
Also announced today is a new program offering a fast track to an apprenticeship for local construction workers. The pilot Construction Accelerated Apprenticeship Program (CAAP) offers construction workers without formal qualifications the opportunity to have their existing skills recognised, cutting the time required to get an apprenticeship. It is the latest in a number of McGowan Government measures ensuring WA has a pipeline of skilled workers, including:
- Lower fees, local skills – slashed TAFE fees by up to 72 per cent on 180 courses;
- a record $167.4 million investment in upgrades to TAFE infrastructure across the five WA TAFE colleges as part of the WA Recovery Plan;
- free skill set short courses to upskill thousands of Western Australians; and
- $4.8 million for the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Re-engagement Incentive, providing financial support to employers who take on a displaced apprentice or trainee.
Business closure times over Christmas and new year 2020
All Department of Training and Workforce Development offices will be closed from 4.30 pm WST on Thursday 24 December — reopening at 8.30 am WST on Monday 4 January 2021.
The 13 19 54 Apprenticeship Office Helpline will not be operational during this time. Please email your enquiries to ApprenticeshipOffice@dtwd.wa.gov.au and we will respond to your enquiry when we reopen in the new year.
- Training contracts can continue to be lodged during the closure, and will be assessed from 4 January 2021.
- Training contracts changes can still be submitted via the Western Australian Apprenticeship Management System
(WAAMS) online client portal during the closure period. - Emails or other training contract related requests received during the closure will be actioned from 4 January 2021.
We would like to wish all of our customers, colleagues and stakeholders a safe and happy festive season — we look forward to working with you again in 2021.
Building WA's defence industry workforce
Exciting job opportunities and new training programs
‘The other force’ — a new campaign to raise awareness of the job opportunities and career pathways available in Western Australia’s defence industry — was launched today. The campaign aims to inspire women, veterans, young people, jobseekers and career changers to take advantage of job opportunities available.
Promoting the diverse, exciting and secure jobs offered by the defence industry is an important part of building the skilled workforce needed to support upcoming defence projects and secure future defence work, expected to be valued at up to $75 billion nationally over the next decade.
The campaign is complemented by the establishment of five new defence industry skill sets, which will contribute to a 'defence ready' workforce to bolster WA’s defence industry and support maritime defence contracts. The new $3.3 million package was developed in consultation with industry to meet industry skill demand, and courses are available through South Metropolitan TAFE. The campaign and new skill sets were presented to an industry forum held with key employers and stakeholders including Austal, Civmec, ASC West, Defence Primes, BAE Systems, Henderson Alliance, Naval Ship Management and the Naval Shipbuilding College.
Matilda Hobbins, third year South Metropolitan TAFE marine fabrication apprentice, stars in the advertising campaign and encourages others to embark on a rewarding career in defence manufacturing. Employed as a marine fabricator at Austal, the 25 year old says she has been well supported as a woman in a male-dominated industry and there is nothing like working with your hands and seeing your individual contribution come together to build a ship.
In addition to the five new skill sets, the campaign will also highlight several other initiatives including:
- $8.5 million for incentives of $20,000 for defence manufacturing industry employers to train apprentices in key trades;
- $2.85 million to train an additional 335 apprenticeships in nominated trades;
- investment in training scholarships for women and defence veterans; and
- defence industry training facilities upgrades at South Metropolitan TAFE.
For further information about the defence initiatives, please visit the Jobs and Skills WA website at jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/defence
New COVID-19 contact register from 5 December
Important information for businesses and venues
Mandatory contact registers at relevant businesses and venues will be introduced from Saturday 5 December 2020. Maintaining a contact register is an extra safety measure and one of the most effective ways to control the spread of COVID-19.
Businesses and venues will need to record the name, telephone number, location, date and arrival time of all patrons, staff, volunteers and contractors and keep that information for 28 days.
These businesses or venues include:
- food and licenced venues (restaurants, cafés, bars, pubs, taverns, nightclubs);
- gyms, indoor sporting centres and pools;
- places of worship and funeral parlours;
- beauty and personal care services including hairdressers and barbers;
- galleries and museums;
- cinemas, theatres and other entertainment venues;
- auction houses and real estate inspections;
- community facilities, libraries and halls ;
- zoos and amusement parks;
- function centres; and
- accommodation facilities that already have check in arrangements in place (eg; hostels, hotels, large camp grounds).
New app available
To assist businesses and venues in collecting the information required, and make it easier for individuals to provide their contact details; a free, safe and secure app called SafeWA is now available. Endorsed by the Department of Health, the app provides businesses and venues a unique QR code that enables patrons to quick scan their contact details into the register.
Data collected via the SafeWA app will be encrypted at the point of capture, stored securely, and only be accessible by authorised Department of Health contact tracing personnel should COVID-19 tracing be needed. This means tracing can be performed quicker to keep people safe.
The use of SafeWA is not mandatory, but is encouraged. The free app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play, giving businesses and venues time to implement the digital contact register system in time for 5 December. An information pack will be emailed to each business that downloads SafeWA.
Businesses may also use alternative formats for registration — including other electronic or paper-based systems depending on what is suitable for the business, venue or individual — however all information collected must be saved and stored securely and retained for 28 days.
Further information
Full details about the contact register requirements including frequently asked questions, ‘how to’ guides and information sheets for businesses and for individuals, is available on the WA Government website. Contact register templates, for those not using the SafeWA app, are also available.
Find out more at wa.gov.au/organisation/covid-communications/covid-19-coronavirus-contact-registers
Building pathways for new apprenticeships
New free program offering 50 bricklaying apprenticeships
A new short course is now available: the Bricklaying Job Ready program. It was developed in consultation with the Construction Training Fund and key industry partners including HIA, MBA and ABN Group, will create a pipeline of qualified bricklayers to meet the needs of WA’s building industry.
Students will complete the Work Safely in Construction short course skill set, which teaches work safety practices, basic measuring and calculation skills, and how to operate small plant and equipment used on building and construction projects — through a mix of on-campus training and work placement with industry employers. The program is free for concession-eligible students including jobseekers and people aged 15—24. Non-eligible participants will need to pay a fee. On completion of the course, students will have the opportunity to start a bricklaying apprenticeship with a participating employer.
The pilot program will be delivered by North Metropolitan TAFE, South Metropolitan TAFE, and private training provider Skill Hire. The program will be reviewed at the completion of the first course with a view to it being expanded to regional WA. Employers who sign up to the program will be able to access State and Australian Government incentives and wage subsidies.
Applications for the course are now open — with 50 places available for the first intake scheduled to start on November 9, 2020. Register your interest by emailing BricklayingJobReady@dtwd.wa.gov.au.
New guide for school-based apprenticeships and traineeships now available
Helpful information for all WA SBAT users
The Department has released a new guide to Western Australian school-based apprenticeships and traineeships. The guide was developed collaboratively with stakeholders and is now available on our website.
The new guide provides detailed information on the important aspects involved in a school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBAT) arrangement. It provides help and support for schools, registered training organisations (RTOs), employers, students, parents and other stakeholders operating in Western Australia’s apprenticeship and traineeship system.
It includes:
- a quick guide which highlights the key steps involved in an SBAT from starting out through to completion;
- real life examples to make it easier to understand how SBATs actually work in practice;
- information on the different roles and responsibilities of each of the stakeholders, including the importance of effective communication and collaboration; and
- website links for easy access to fact sheets, forms and other relevant information.
The guide is available as an online resource and can also be downloaded and printed.
Updated fact sheet for SBAT minimum hours
The Department of Training and Workforce Development has recently updated the fact sheet, School-based apprenticeships and traineeships: Minimum hours per week.
The Department’s policy position on minimum hours of paid work has not changed. The revised fact sheet has been developed to provide more detailed information to help clarify the existing minimum hour requirements of paid work for school-based apprenticeship and traineeship arrangements, along with some examples to show how the requirements could be achieved.
The updated fact sheet is available on the Apprenticeship Office website, under Training contract forms and fact sheets.
New fact sheet and calculator tool to determine employment status for traineeship training contracts
The Department of Training and Workforce Development Apprenticeship Office recognises stakeholders' need for guidance on the determination of a person's employment status (ie; new entrant or existing worker) when entering into a training contract.
A new fact sheet and calculator tool have been developed to provide information to stakeholders, and to assist with the calculation of the relevant periods. They are both available on the Apprenticeship Office website, under 'Other publications'.
Updated fact sheet/form: Suspension of a training contract for serious misconduct
The Department of Training and Workforce Development Apprenticeship Office has recently undertaken a review of the process for an employer to suspend a training contract due to apprentice’s serious misconduct. The associated fact sheet and form has been reviewed and updated – please ensure you are using the current version of the form when submitting requests to Apprenticeship Office.
New FAQs – What happens when an RTO no longer provides training?
The Department of Training and Workforce Development Apprenticeship Office is committed to providing guidance to stakeholders when a registered training organisation (RTO) no longer provides training. To assist stakeholders to determine options available for apprentices and employers when confronted with this scenario, a new fact sheet outlining a serious of frequently asked questions and answers has been developed.
New and updated forms, fact sheets and FAQs
The Department of Training and Workforce Development Apprenticeship Office has updated a number of publications.
- Form – Notice to terminate a training contract
- Form – Notice to assign a training contract to a new employer
- Form – Notice to vary a training contract
- Fact sheet – Termination of a training contract without apprentice consent
- Fact sheet – Extending a training contract
- Fact sheet – Assignment of a training contract to a new employer
- Fact sheet – Training contract registration and assessment – Frequently asked questions
- Fact sheet – Training plans
- National training plan template
- Case study – Completion of a training contract
In addition, the following new fact sheets have been developed and published.
- Fact sheet – Employer’s eligibility to enter into a training contract
- Fact sheet – Cancellation of a training contract due to apprentice abandonment
- Fact sheet – School based apprenticeships and traineeships: Minimum hours per week
These documents are all available from the Training contract forms and fact sheets section of the Apprenticeship Office website at dtwd.wa.gov.au/apprenticeship-office.
New minimum part time hours for school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs)
Following extensive stakeholder consultation, the Minister for Education and Training has endorsed the setting of the minimum part time hours per week of paid work and supervised training for school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs).
The setting is identified on the Public Register of Prescribed VET Qualifications. It states:
- a school-based training contract comprises of:
- a minimum of 7.5 hours per week in paid work over the duration of the traineeship or apprenticeship, which can be averaged over six month periods; and
- training which may be supervised on the job, delivered off the job, or as some combination of on and off the job.
Please note that the setting identifies the minimum hours of paid work and allows employers and SBATs to negotiate longer hours of work, if required.
A new fact sheet School-based apprenticeships and traineeships: Minimum hours per week, is available on the Apprenticeship Office website under Training contract forms and factsheets.
Vocational Education and Training (General) Regulations amendments: New fact sheets
Following extensive consultation with stakeholders and with their support, on 29 December 2017 amendments to the Vocational Education and Training (General) Regulations 2009 were gazetted. These amendments will come into effect on 9 February 2018 and training contracts registered by the Department’s Apprenticeship Office on or after this date will be subject to the new requirements.
The changes simplify the timeframe for training providers to develop training plans for apprentices and trainees, clarify training plan requirements and ensure that schools are central to and can support school-based apprenticeship and traineeship (SBAT) arrangements. Overall, the changes will support quality training plans being developed in a timely manner that meet stakeholder needs.
Amendments include:
- changing the timeframe to sign a training plan to six weeks from the date that the parties are notified of the registration of the training contract. In most cases, this will give RTOs more time;
- making all parties aware of their obligations by clarifying that a new training plan is to be signed when there is a new training provider or employer. This will ensure that the same quality applies to the training arrangement after an assignment or variation;
- requiring training providers to notify the Department when a training plan has been signed so that the Department can ensure that training plans are being developed in the early phase of the training;
- requiring school endorsement of the training plan for all SBAT arrangements to ensure that schools are aware of and are supportive of the training arrangement. Completion and submission of the Education, Training and Employment Schedule or ETES form will no longer be required; and
- clarifying that home educated students will no longer be able to access SBAT, but will instead have access to a broader range of apprenticeships or traineeships under a part-time arrangement.
Further information on the amendments is provided in the fact sheets Changes to training plans and School-based apprenticeships and traineeships and changes to training plan requirements which are available on the Apprenticeship Office website under Training contract forms and fact sheets.
Updated forms and fact sheets relating to training plans, assignment and variations and the training plan template will be published on the Apprenticeship Office website on 9 February 2018. Please ensure you are using the current version of the forms when submitting requests to the Apprenticeship Office.
Temporary closure of Apprenticeship Office during Christmas and new year period
The Department of Training and Workforce Development Apprenticeship Office will be closed from 4.30 pm on Friday 22 December 2017 to 8.30 am on Tuesday 2 January 2018 Western Standard Time.
The 13 19 54 information hotline will not operate during the closure period. Please email your enquiry to ApprenticeshipOffice@dtwd.wa.gov.au and we will respond to your enquiry after the Apprenticeship Office reopens in the new year.
Training contracts can continue to be lodged during the closure. They will be held until assessment and processing resumes in the new year. Similarly, any emails, variation, extension or termination requests received in the Apprenticeship Office email boxes during the closure will be regarded as being received on the date of receipt. They will be actioned after the Apprenticeship Office reopens in the new year.
From everyone at Apprenticeship Office, we wish you a very enjoyable Christmas and a happy new year.
Changes to payroll tax exemption arrangements from 1 December 2017
On 30 November 2017 the Treasurer announced changes to be made to the payroll tax exemption arrangement for existing employees entering into traineeship training contracts. The Government will introduce a Bill into the Parliament in 2018 to amend the Pay-roll Tax Assessment Act 2002, with the changes to apply retrospectively to 1 December 2017.
Details of the proposed changes can be found at Office of State Revenue Circular 10. Any queries relating to the administration of the payroll tax exemption should be made to the Office of State Revenue on 08 9262 1300 or by web enquiry at osr.wa.gov.au/PayrollEnquiry.
The Department of Training and Workforce Development Apprenticeship Office will continue to assess and make decisions on requests relating to existing worker traineeships in accordance with the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996 and relevant Regulations.
Please note, under the proposed transitional arrangements for existing worker traineeships registered or lodged with the Department before 1 December 2017, the duration of the payroll tax exemption cannot be extended by suspending or varying the training contract. The transitional arrangements will only allow the payroll tax exemption to apply until the expected completion date of these training contracts as at 1 December 2017.
The Apprenticeship Office may also assess a worker’s employment status (ie; existing worker or new entrant) as part of its registration assessment or compliance assessment following the registration of a training contract. Guidelines on how to determine a worker’s employment status will be published in due course.
Fair Work Ombudsman guides for apprentices and employers
The Fair Work Ombudsman has developed guides for apprentices and employers that set out essential information about workplace rights and responsibilities, to assist them in understanding their rights and obligations.
You can download the following documents from the Fair Work Ombudsman's website at fairwork.gov.au.
New fact sheet: Casual workers and apprenticeships
The Department of Training and Workforce Development has developed a fact sheet on the eligibility of casual workers entering into a Western Australian apprenticeship training contract.
Training plan quality improvement consultation sessions
Working together to identify challenges and find solutions.
The Department of Training and Workforce Development Apprenticeship Office is committed to improving the quality and integrity of the apprenticeship system in Western Australia. The training plan is an important document because it sets out how the apprentice will receive quality structured training, both on and off the job.
The Department would like to work with stakeholders to examine some of the challenges faced by training providers in meeting the training plan requirements, and to identify strategies that may assist in overcoming these challenges.
With this in mind, the Apprenticeship Office has prepared a Training plan quality improvement strategy discussion paper. Training providers are invited to review this discussion paper and attend one of the following consultation sessions.
WhenWednesday 16 August 2017 |
WhereTraining Room 3, Ground Floor |
To register your attendance, please email apprenticeshipoffice.regulation@dtwd.wa.gov.au with your name and contact details and kindly state which session you wish to attend. This map gives you directions to find Prospect Place, and details of available free parking.
If you are unable to attend one of these sessions, you may provide written feedback on the discussion paper to us via email. Alternatively you may wish to join in to these sessions online – this attendee information sheet has full details of how to access that option.
Automatic upgrade of superseded qualifications for WA apprenticeships and traineeships
The Department of Training and Workforce Development sought feedback from stakeholders in October 2016 regarding a proposal to automate the upgrade of superseded qualifications where the transition period has ended.
Traditionally, RTOs have had to notify the Department every time a superseded qualification in a training contract needs to be upgraded to a replacement qualification. The Department recognises the administrative burden this practice places on RTOs.
The proposed automation to the upgrade of superseded qualifications where the transition period has ended provides the following benefit to stakeholders:
- removal of the need to notify the Department for a qualification upgrade; and
- instant update of the qualification information in a training contract record.
The Department has received overall positive feedback to this proposal and made necessary amendments to ensure the change meets stakeholder needs. It is planned that the change to TRS will be deployed in the evening on Thursday 8 June 2017.
For detailed information about this change, please refer to this frequently asked questions document.
If you have any questions regarding the above change, please call 13 19 54 or email ApprenticeshipOffice.Projects@dtwd.wa.gov.au.
New fact sheet - Training contracts and holders of temporary work (Skilled) (subclass 457)
The Department of Training and Workforce Development has developed, in conjunction with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection and the Commonwealth Government Department of Education and Training, a fact sheet on the eligibility of Temporary work (skilled) visa (subclass 457) holders entering into a Western Australian apprenticeship or traineeship training contract.
The fact sheet, Training contracts and holders of temporary work (Skilled) (subclass 457), is available on our website under Training contract forms and fact sheets.
Workshop: training contract completion requirements
The Apprenticeship Office is committed to providing ongoing education to stakeholders with regards to our processes and compliance requirements. We will be offering a series of information sessions and workshops in the future and the details will be published on our website as they become available.
The following workshop focuses on training contract completion requirements, as prescribed in Regulation 52 of the VET Regulations:
Regulation 52 training contract completion requirements
When: 26 October 2016 2–3pm
Where: Ground Floor, Optima Centre Building B, 16 Parkland Road Osborne Park
This workshop is aimed at staff within registered training organisations who are responsible for advising the Apprenticeship Office of the training contract completion.
Apprenticeship Office's first anniversary
It is now over one year since the Apprenticeship Office was established on 1 July 2015. Below are some statistics from the actions during our first year of operation to 30 June 2016.
- Number of training contracts registered: 25 282
- Number of lodged contracts that had undergone further assessment: 9 063
- Number of training contracts where registration was refused: 98
- Average time taken to register a training contract: 6.5 days
- Number of variations to training contracts assessed and processed: 17 308
- Number of callers assisted: 22 578
- Number of contacts with employers/apprentices providing advice about training plans: 12 038
- Number of overdue training plans recovered: 4 760
- Number of training plans audited: 461
The Apprenticeship Office would like to thank our stakeholders for your support and cooperation over the last year. We look forward to continuing to work with you to improve the efficiency of the administration of training contracts and the quality and integrity of the apprenticeship system in Western Australia.