Joondalup-based West Coast Tafe is the first of the Tafe colleges to rebrand itself after the government's decision last month to overhaul the state's training sector.
Joondalup-based West Coast Tafe is the first of the Tafe colleges to rebrand itself after the government's decision last month to overhaul the state's training sector.
The college has today been renamed the West Coast Institute of Training, as part of the government's plans to provide colleges with greater independence.
"This is more than just a change of name and logo - it represents a new direction for the college, allowing it and others to become more effective in this increasingly competitive and open training market," Training Minister Peter Collier said.
"I have provided all TAFE colleges with an opportunity to reinvent themselves to meet the requirements of the volatile economic climate and position WA for future employment demands.
"This represents a fundamental change in our approach to managing training in WA and will help to raise the status of training and TAFE colleges, while providing the opportunity to present themselves as independent centres of excellence."
Last month, the government said it would split the Department of Education and Training as part of plans to ensure the state's skills base has the appropriate attention as WA gears up for a big rise in economic activity.
The split would make way for the creation of a new department dedicated to training, to be called the Department of Training and Workforce Development.
As part of those plans, the government also announced it would move to rebrand various Tafe colleges in order to lift the status of training, which is perceived as the poor cousin to education.
The government plans to further increase the specialist functions of certain Tafe colleges and promote them as 'centres of excellence'.
Mr Collier has previously said the government had set aside $4 million in its last budget to market training in WA.
Mr Collier's announcement is below:
Training Minister Peter Collier has unveiled the new face of training in Perth's northern suburbs, as part of the Liberal-National Government's strategy to transform Western Australia's training sector.
West Coast TAFE is the first of the State's TAFE colleges to launch its new brand, West Coast Institute of Training, in response to the Minister's call to provide colleges with greater independence.
"This is more than just a change of name and logo - it represents a new direction for the college, allowing it and others to become more effective in this increasingly competitive and open training market," Mr Collier said.
"I have provided all TAFE colleges with an opportunity to reinvent themselves to meet the requirements of the volatile economic climate and position WA for future employment demands.
"This represents a fundamental change in our approach to managing training in WA and will help to raise the status of training and TAFE colleges, while providing the opportunity to present themselves as independent centres of excellence.
"I commend the West Coast Institute of Training Governing Council for its support in helping to make this change happen, ensuring the creation of a vibrant, innovative and flexible training system to meet the skill needs of our economy."
The Minister said with greater autonomy, colleges would have the ability and freedom to become more competitive in the marketplace, both nationally and overseas.
"With its new brand, West Coast Institute of Training can stand out from its competitors, with the opportunity to highlight its innovative and industry-led training solutions," he said.
"The Government is committed to ensuring people have the skills and qualifications to take up the many employment opportunities that will come when the economy improves."
Located in Perth's fast growing north-west metropolitan areas, West Coast Institute of Training provides more than 150 training programs locally, nationally and internationally to meet the demands of industry, enterprise, schools, individuals and the community.
It places a large emphasis on workplace training, with about 45 per cent of training delivered in the workplace, supported by an integrated focus on recognition of prior learning, online, self-paced and flexible hours delivery.
"By establishing successful partnerships with organisations such as St John of God Hospital and Uniting Care West, the institute is responding to industry demand, delivering training beyond classroom walls and geographic boundaries," Mr Collier said.
"The institute provides a clear example of what outcomes can be achieved when taking a multifaceted approach to training and offering innovation and flexibility."
