Students in the region are showing growing interest in veterinary nursing, plant mechanics and education support, according to Central Regional TAFE's Northam campus managing director.
Enrolment statistics for semester one 2019 at the Northam campus indicate that enrolment numbers are stable in all learning areas, with animal studies and nursing increasing in popularity.
Northam campus managing director Bill Swetman said partnerships with industry and community organisations had supported an increase in enrolments.
"Enrolments for the Northam Campus in 2019 are currently on par with this time last year, and we look forward to supporting new and continuing students during our semester two enrolment period, which is currently open," he said.
"Areas with high student enrolments provide exciting opportunities for further development and new training programs.
"A great strength of our Wheatbelt campuses, particularly in Northam, is the ability to offer students innovative flexible training options.
"Industry collaboration and consultation is a high priority for Central Regional TAFE and assists us in making continuous improvements to our programs and the way we teach.
"It ensures our students are ready to step into the workforce and become valuable employees."
Mr Swetman said the popularity of automotive studies, local government and children's services had remained high, making up the courses with highest enrolment numbers.
Enrolment numbers for metal fabrication, building and construction, hospitality and tourism and business are all on par to last year's figures with no noticeable increases in enrolment for electrical studies, agriculture, visual arts and retail.
Mr Swetman said, due to increased interest and after consultation with industry, the Northam campus was looking at introducing training in fashion and textiles, and expanding training opportunities in hospitality and tourism
"CRTAFE are excited to be undertaking a major renovation of the existing library; converting it into an interactive student hub," he said.
"The new modern space will create a social learning environment with areas for social study and the introduction of state-of-art interactive technologies.
"The new interactive student hub is the second wave of renovations at the campus with the completion of the new state-of-the art nursing training facility in 2018 proving to be a useful resource for both students and lecturers and very well supported by industry.
"To align with the State Training Plan and government priorities for training, CRTAFE are looking at introducing new technologies at the Northam campus which will link students with lecturers and students at other campuses.
"This will open the door to new training opportunities and the expansion of course offerings in the Wheatbelt."
No courses or training areas have been removed from the TAFE's offering in recent times, however the format of training has changed according to enrolments.
Mr Swetman said to address lower enrollment numbers there had been a focus on flexible learning.
"The flexible nature of several courses such as education support and business have encouraged more enrolments as often students need to study around work and family commitments," he said.
"Central Regional TAFE's flexible training includes online or evening classes and regular online or telephone support from lecturers.
"Staff work hard to create effective online resources which assist students in achieving their training goals whilst working around work and family commitments.
"It also allows us to offer training across the whole region".
