A WA government initiative lowering the price of a range of TAFE courses has seen larger numbers of students enrol at the Northam Central Regional TAFE campus in 2020.
Early enrolment data for the Wheatbelt campus has revealed the number of students undertaking half price courses almost doubling on previous years.
The strongest increase in numbers were seen in Certificate III in Individual Support, Certificate III in Community Services, Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade (Heavy/Welding YH), Certificate IV in Mental Health and Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Central Regional TAFE managing director Bill Swetman said the half price course fees would benefit the Avon and Wheatbelt regions by making vocational education and training more affordable for thousands of students.
"We are very pleased that so many have decided to take advantage of the Lower Fees Local Skills initiative at our Northam Campus," he said.
"Having more qualified students in areas with high job growth will have positive long-term effects for the local workforce in the Wheatbelt region. Our staff are excited for the year ahead and we wish our new students all the best as they commence their journey at TAFE."
Mr Swetman's comments come after premier Mark McGowan and education minister Sue Ellery visited the Joondalup campus of North Metropolitan TAFE to meet with WA's up-and-coming student chefs.
During the visit Mr McGowan said the 50 per cent cut to TAFE fees was already having a positive impact, with early data showing a 20 per cent increase in TAFE enrolments around the state.
Preliminary data from all five TAFE colleges in WA showed a 20 per cent increase in student enrolments, with strong take-up in high priority courses.
Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade (Heavy/Welding YH) had seen an increase of 85 per cent increase in enrolments compared to 2019.
The lower fees, local skills webpage has been viewed more than 105,000 times since the initiative was announced in October 2019.
