The Kimberley, Pilbara and Eastern Goldfields regions will have TAFE delivered to much closer to home thanks to two new mobile TAFE projects in Western Australia.
The Albanese Labor Government today announced $5 million will be invested towards two Mobile TAFE projects bringing training directly to the next generation of workers in regional and remote communities.
It forms part of a $31 million package across the country to help bridge the gap between remote communities and TAFE and training, and build the local workforce communities need.
The Western Australian Government will work in partnership with local organisations – including First Nations organisations – to deliver courses in communities via mobile training units.
Mobile training units are custom-fitted vehicles or trailers that serve as classrooms or workshops on wheels.
The Kimberley project, to be delivered in partnership with Djaringo Training, will receive $2.79 million to establish two mobile, on-country training units that will deliver training to First Nations and other learners in 15 remote and very remote locations.
It means around 150 additional students each year can benefit from courses including Certificate III in Indigenous Environment Health and Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations.
The second project, to be delivered in partnership with Carey Training, will receive $2.29 million to deliver two mobile training units to the Pilbara and Eastern Goldfields regions.
These self-sufficient units will deliver training to 14 remote and very remote locations in the Pilbara, and 16 outer regional, remote and very remote locations in the Eastern Goldfields, benefitting around 100 additional students each year.
The Council of Aboriginal Services Western Australia and the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia were valued partners in developing the projects.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
“Too often, where you live determines what training opportunities are available to you. Mobile TAFE is about changing that.
“We’re taking training directly into remote communities so people can gain skills closer to home and build careers without having to leave their local community.
“When people can train locally, communities benefit from more skilled workers, local employers have improved access to the workforce they need, and more economic opportunities stay in the region.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy:
“Mobile TAFE is creating more opportunities for people in remote First Nations communities to gain skills and find employment closer to home.
“These Mobile TAFE projects will help ensure more people in remote areas of WA can access the benefits of TAFE.
“These projects have been shaped in partnership with First Nations organisations and will help build the local workforce communities need for the future.”
Quotes attributable to WA Minister for Skills and TAFE, Amber-Jade Sanderson:
“Our State is experiencing a jobs boom, which is why we are investing heavily in training to ensure locals have the skills they need to take up these opportunities.
“Every Western Australian deserves access to training that will set them up for a meaningful career, regardless of where they live.
“This investment in Mobile TAFE will help to bring world-class vocational training to some of the most remote parts of WA.”
