Training costs to skyrocket, hit students

Students at Bunbury’s South West Institute of Technology will face skyrocketing fees from next year as a result of State Government training sector reforms, according to Australian Education Union estimates.

Future Skills WA was designed to encourage students to pursue qualifications to address skill shortages, but the Australian Education Union says costs of in-demand TAFE qualifications will increase by up to 500 per cent.

Despite appearing on the State Priority Occupation List, the price of a Diploma of Enrolled Nursing will jump from $1800 to $7300.

The cost of TAFE qualifications for surveyors and civil engineers, also in short supply, will jump from $1700 to $5600 and from $1200 to $4400 respectively.

Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray slammed the State Government for the “cost cutting” move.

“I find it unbelievable that at a time when employers in areas like hospitality, aged and child care, the building industry and our hospitals are struggling to find and retain staff, that this Government has now made it harder and more costly for people to obtain qualifications for these career paths,” Mr Murray said.

On top of the diploma and certificate course increases, apprenticeship trade training fees are also estimated to rise by 225 per cent to $2329.96 per annum.

Financial assistance similar to the university sector HECS-HELP scheme will be available to eligible students enrolled in Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses.