The Western Australian Government says it is expanding construction training capacity through targeted capital grants aimed at supporting decarbonisation, energy transformation and regional workforce development.
In a statement, the Cook Government said three Capital Grants totalling more than $4 million had been endorsed by the Construction Training Fund (CTF) Board following a competitive assessment process.
The funding is intended to increase the number of skilled workers and improve training quality across the building and construction sector.
According to the Government, the grants are focused on areas of workforce demand linked to infrastructure delivery, housing construction and the state’s energy transition, while also improving access to training in regional communities.
Energy and Decarbonisation and Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the funding was designed to support a long-term pipeline of skilled workers.
“Western Australia’s diversified economy needs a skilled and adaptable workforce,” she said. “Through support including the CTF grants, the Cook Government is ensuring we have a pipeline of workers for future well-paying jobs.”
The Government said the Capital Grant Program supports eligible Registered Training Organisations to undertake capital upgrades that align with priority areas such as clean energy skills, sustainable construction and regional training access.
Three organisations were awarded funding under the latest round. Skypass Pty Ltd will develop a purpose-built rigging training structure in Bunbury to deliver high-risk work licence training.
AusQ Training will receive support for portable traffic control device units to assist in delivering mandatory traffic management training across regional and remote parts of the state.
The College of Electrical Training will establish a new campus in Midland to help address demand for electrical workers in Western Australia.
Sanderson said the grants were aligned with broader workforce needs. “Our priorities include workers for the health and housing sectors and those who will help to deliver our energy transition and the decarbonisation of our economy,” she said.
