The State Government has approved additional funding to provide nearly 8,000 additional training places in 2011 to meet increased demand.
The State Government has approved additional funding to provide nearly 8,000 additional training places in 2011 to meet increased demand.
Almost $25million has been allocated, including about $2million for Aboriginal training places.
Training and Workforce Development Minister Peter Collier said this was another significant step in helping to address demand for skills in priority occupations.
"The increased training will assist industry development in Western Australia by providing additional skilled labour in areas where skill shortages are expected,"
Mr Collier said.
"We are providing as many training opportunities as possible to enable all West Australians to contribute to, and benefit from, this coming period of economic growth.
"This includes helping people to change their existing careers or upskill into more rewarding and long-term careers, while also ensuring jobseekers are 'work ready', allowing them to either move directly into employment or pursue further training at higher levels."
This allocation is in addition to $19.4million set aside in the 2010-11 State Budget to fund an extra 7,600 training places in industry priority areas, including apprenticeships and traineeships.
"Since this Government came into office, we have invested an additional $50million to support an estimated 17,000 additional training places," the Minister said.
"These places are targeted at critical occupations in demand, as well as increasing WA's Aboriginal workforce participation."
The increase is also in line with recommendations and strategies outlined in
'Skilling WA: A workforce development plan for Western Australia', which the Minister launched last week to help meet future labour needs.
Skilling WA identifies five strategic goals: increasing participation in the workforce; supplementing the WA workforce with skilled migrants; attracting workers with the right skills; providing flexible, responsive and innovative training and education; and planning and co-ordinating a strategic government response to workforce development issues in the state.
