- South Regional TAFE to receive new equipment to support further training opportunities
- Funding will go towards mining and construction equipment
- Comes as new data shows enrolments have increased with fee free and low fee courses
- Cook Labor Government delivering millions of dollars for TAFE, training and apprenticeships
The Cook Labor Government has allocated more than $2 million through the TAFE Modern Equipment Program for new equipment to be purchased for South Regional TAFE to support further training opportunities for students.
As part of a Regional Engineering Apprenticeships Partnership, $1.5 million will go towards purchasing new equipment to upgrade local equipment manufacturer RCR Mining Technologies’ workshop in the Picton Industrial Area.
South Regional TAFE is working with RCR Mining Technologies to repurpose its workshop to deliver apprentice training onsite, creating more local training opportunities and reducing the need for apprentices to travel to Perth for block training.
New equipment will include industrial lathes, Computer Numerical Control machines and mills.
The Bunbury campus will also receive new equipment including a backhoe, skid steers or excavators and an engine dynamometer. The equipment is anticipated to be ready for the first semester of 2027.
This comes on top of new data that shows an increase in students enrolling in fee free and low fee TAFE courses at South Regional TAFE’s Bunbury thanks to the Cook Labor Government’s investment in affordable training.
Increase in enrolments since courses made fee free in 2023:
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care increased by 30 per cent
- Diploma of Nursing increased by 89 per cent
Increase in enrolments since courses made low fee in 2020:
- Certificate III in Carpentry increased by 148 per cent
- Certificate III in Plumbing increased by 111 per cent
- Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician increased by 75 per cent
As stated by Skills and Training Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
“We know the right training pathway opens the door for good, secure jobs.
“We want to see more sparkies, brickies and welders on the tools, building our homes and hospitals.
“And we want to see more people choosing to enter the care sector, whether that be nursing, early childhood education or aged care.
“That’s why we’re investing millions of dollars into fee free and low fee TAFE and making sure we have industry-current equipment needed to support and increase these training opportunities.”
As stated by South West Minister and Bunbury MLA Don Punch:
“This investment is a big win for the South West. The region not only receives state-of-the-art training equipment but it also helps to create more opportunities for local apprentices to train and work right here in our region.
“By partnering with local industry and expanding training in Bunbury, it reduces the need for locals to travel to Perth and builds a stronger, more skilled workforce that will support the South West’s future.”
