Why choose VET
VET offers something for everyone - whether you’re still at school and considering your options, wanting to skill up and boost your career, seeking recognition for skills and experience you already have, considering an apprenticeship or traineeship, or wanting a short course to get you back into the workforce.
VET is a great way to learn — it's hands on, and it's focused on practical skills and knowledge. Your qualification is awarded when you can demonstrate your competency rather than through tests and exams, and your VET qualification is nationally accredited and recognised — opening up a world of opportunities. Whether your VET course is at a WA TAFE college or a registered private training organisation, you can be sure that you're learning from industry experts.
In today’s competitive job market, it’s important to have the right skills and qualifications — VET gives you the practical skills and experience that employers are looking for, giving you a greater competitive edge over jobseekers. VET also offers an excellent pathway into further study at university, if you wish to get specialist skills for a particular career.
Our role in VET
The Department of Training and Workforce Development is the WA government agency responsible for managing vocational education and training. We do this by:
- managing public resources in the State's VET system;
- planning, funding and monitoring publicly funded training delivered by WA TAFE colleges and registered private training providers;
- supporting VET programs for WA secondary school students;
- administering the apprenticeship and traineeship system in WA through Apprenticeship Office; and
- providing advice on curriculum.
Jobs & Skills WA
Jobs & Skills WA is the State ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿'s approach to building a skilled workforce for WA's future growth and prosperity by:
- offering free and subsidised training in job growth areas;
- providing free career development services across WA;
- providing free support and assistance to WA jobseekers;
- supporting WA employers through financial incentives; and
- supporting industry sectors that are important to the diversification of WA's economy.
The Jobs & Skills WA website is your one-stop shop for training, career development and jobseeker support.
Jobs and Skills Centres (JSCs)
JSCs are located across metropolitan and regional Western Australia. They offer free information, advice, support and assistance to help you choose a training course, develop your career, or find a job.
Specialist services are also available at JSCs for Aboriginal people and ex-offenders.
Career development
Career development is the continual process of managing your learning, leisure and work to progress through your life. It includes gaining and using the skills and knowledge you need to plan and make informed decisions about education, training and work. With so many choices, it can be challenging to know what direction you should take.
Whether you’re thinking about taking your first steps into the world of work, looking for a career change or striving for bigger and better things in your current occupation, having a career plan will help you reach your goals.
Free and half price training
Our Skills Ready program is helping to make VET more affordable and accessible for Western Australians. Through Skills Ready, we've made a huge range of qualifications and courses free, or half price, for eligible students!
To search for courses, and find out more about free and half price training, visit the Jobs and Skills WA website.
Finding a VET course
There's never been a better time to get into training!
Through Jobs & Skills WA, you can choose from hundreds of qualifications from Certificate through to Advanced Diploma level, short courses and skill sets, pre-employment and foundation skills programs, and so much more.
You can even choose to do an apprenticeship or traineeship, where you'll be employed — earn while you learn — a great way to set yourself up for success!
Applying, enrolling, and course fees
Once you have decided on the course you want to do, and found a training provider that you’re happy with, the next step is to apply and/or enrol in your course and pay the course fees. You will also need a Unique Student Identifier (USI), if you don't already have one.
Assistance with course fees is available, for eligible students.
Information about applying and enrolling for VET courses, and course fees, is available on the Jobs & Skills WA website.
WA TAFE colleges
Whether you’re getting started for the first time, or starting to want more, TAFE can help you be more than you ever thought possible.
With more than 1,000 courses available from five TAFE colleges with more than 50 campuses located across Perth and regional WA, TAFE offers something for everyone.
VET for secondary school students
WA secondary school students have the opportunity to study a nationally recognised VET qualification while still at school, so you can:
- develop your employability skills (for example; communication and problem solving skills);
- give you industry specific skills, actual work experience and an understanding of the world of work; and
- help you to explore and plan your career options.
If you do a VET qualification while you are a full time secondary student, this may also count towards your Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE).
Find out more on our VET for secondary school students page
Apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships are an excellent way to combine training with work, enabling you to have a job while you complete training towards a nationally recognised qualification. They are available to anyone of working age, and for a range of trades such as construction and hospitality; and other areas including business and information technology.
You can do an apprenticeship or traineeship if you are a school leaver, re-entering the workforce, or as an adult or mature-aged person wishing to change careers.
When you finish your apprenticeship or traineeship you will have a nationally recognised qualification that's held in high regard in many overseas countries as well.
Pre-apprenticeships and pre-traineeships
You can even begin your apprenticeship or traineeship while you're still at school, or do a pre-apprenticeship or pre-traineeship to improve your prospects of employment.
Existing worker traineeships (EWT)
EWTs are designed specifically for people who wish to grow their skills and knowledge through further study.
EWTs combine formal study with on the job learning, and there's a range of qualifications available in areas such as information technology, construction, cyber security, community services, defence, and more.
Learning support, equity courses, and foundation skills
The Department of Training and Workforce Development funds a range of services for eligible students, to assist and support people to be able to access and attend training and improve their employment prospects. These may include:
- support such as mentoring and counselling;
- assistance with things like meals, transport and childcare;
- language and literacy support;
- support for job seeking, resumé writing and work experience for eligible students.
We are also assisting people of all ages and backgrounds to develop language, communication, literacy and numeracy skills with specialist courses available and subsidised through Jobs and Skills WA. This support is provided through two key strategies:
- foundation skills courses that focus on language, literacy and numeracy, and employability skills such as teamwork, problem solving, self-management, digital literacy and using technology – all key skills requirements for success in both training and the workplace; and
- equity courses that support people with disability and people seeking courses that are aligned with their culture; for example, a qualification specialising in Indigenous Australian tourism.
Financial support for students
Regional nursing students
The State ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ can provide financial support for Diploma of Nursing students who need to travel to complete their practical placements as part of their training, through the Western Australian Nurses Stipend and Travel Allowance to Attend Placements Program (NSTAAP).
Travel and Accommodation Allowance (TAA) for apprentices and trainees
Apprentices and trainees are eligible for TAA if they are a Western Australian resident attending a training provider (eg TAFE) for off the job training and have to travel more than 70 kms (round trip) from their residential address to attend the closest training provider.
Scholarships, competitions and awards
We offer and/or support a range of scholarship programs that provide opportunities for people to engage with vocational education and training, available at different times throughout the year.
Find out more on our VET scholarships page here
WA Training Awards
The WA Training Awards is Western Australia's most prestigious awards program, showcasing excellence in our VET sector. Held each year, the Awards recognise WA's best VET students, apprentices and trainees, employers and training providers.
Find out more about the WA Training Awards
WorldSkills competitions
WorldSkills competitions aim to develop and nurture the skills of young Australians aged 23 and under. Their purpose is to promote and build a skills culture by inspiring young people, celebrating skills excellence and providing them with an opportunity to showcase their trade and skill talents through local, national and international competitions.
Visit our WorldSkills WA page to find out more
Muresk Institute: WA's skills hub for modern agriculture
Muresk Institute is WA’s skills hub for modern agriculture. The Muresk team works closely with leaders in WA's agriculture industry to offer a range of qualifications and short courses, as well as workshops and professional development, all delivered on their working farm where you'll get hands on experience.
Skilled migration
If you're considering moving to Western Australia as a skilled migrant; our WA Migration Services team offers a range of useful information, support and resources.
Find out more about skilled migration
International students
We welcome international students to WA! TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA) is our specialist branch responsible for the recruitment and admission of international students studying at WA TAFE colleges and ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ schools.
State Priority Occupation List (SPOL)
The State Priority Occupation List (SPOL) is a list of occupations rated according to their priority status for WA. It may be useful to help decide what kind of career and/or training to look at, for your future.
Find out more and view the SPOL
WA training activity reports and statistics
Our specialist Performance Evaluation and Statistics (PES) branch produces a range of training activity reports and statistics, giving you a snapshot of what's happening in VET across WA.
Find out more on our WA training activity reports and statistics page
