Jobs of the future will require new and different skills to the current workforce. STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills are critical for jobs of the future — they can help you to design and use new technologies, solve important problems, help people, make a difference to society and protect our environment. Currently, 75 per cent of jobs in the fastest growing industries require STEM skills, and 90 per cent of jobs will require people with STEM skills in the next two to five years.
The focus on STEM is vital to Western Australia’s future economy and local jobs. Having a broad range of STEM skills means greater opportunities for employment, and satisfying careers for young people and anyone wanting a change in career or direction.
STEM occupations range from laboratory technicians, digital media and information technology, computer systems engineering, robotics, computer software development and accounting and bookkeeping. The opportunities are endless!
Skills Ready: Free training and more!
We’re making training affordable and accessible so you can boost your skills and be job ready as the WA economy recovers.
How about a free training course — yes... free! Or choose from over 70 half-price qualifications that match up with where the jobs are.
To meet the specific needs of businesses for COVID-19, we have new skill sets — fast track training to get you job ready — and to make sure anyone can get skills ready we have made a range of courses available online at TAFE colleges.
Take2STEM: Careers and jobs information
The Take 2 STEM campaign is about promoting the importance of STEM skills to ensure that all Western Australians are well-placed to take up new and emerging jobs.
WA is already a leader in technologies such as cyber security, data analysis, remote operations, robotics and medical research, and Take2STEM will build on these strengths to ensure our workforce has the capacity to attract investment and remain globally competitive.
The Take2STEM campaign features videos of a range of WA STEM champions, a website and a logo co-designed by WA young people. Part of the State Government's STEM Skills Strategy, Take2STEM includes a focus on increasing participation in under-represented groups, including girls and women, people from lower socio-economic backgrounds and Aboriginal students.
STEM skills for exciting careers
Imagine developing software and AI systems to improve crops, repair submarines, and make new discoveries in space. That’s what WA companies are doing right now — and they are looking for people with STEM skills to help them do it.
STEM skills enable us to make new discoveries in healthcare and medical research to improve our quality of life and to combat illness and disease. The healthcare in Australia industry is growing, and your STEM skills will be highly valued by employers!
STEM courses
STEM offers a huge range of training options. Use the course search below to find out more (select from the options under Industry area, and/or the keyword search, to refine the results). Select a qualification or course title to see a list of training providers in Western Australia who deliver it – then select a provider to find out more.
Using this course list
The list presented here is only for this industry category. You can select a qualification or course title to see a list of training providers in Western Australia who deliver it – then select a provider to find out more.
A full course list across all industry areas is available here
Industry categories
The list of courses displayed for a selected industry category is intended to assist individuals learn more about occupation and training pathways, and may not represent all possible pathways for an industry. For further assistance on occupation and training pathways please contact your nearest Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64.
Please note
The vocational education and training (VET) courses delivered in Western Australia on this course list are funded through the Department of Training and Workforce Development; these are referred to as publicly funded training. A range of qualifications and courses for priority industry areas and occupations are subsidised under Jobs and Skills WA, to reduce the cost of training in priority skill areas. To find out more about which courses are subsidised, please take a look at the information available on the main Training page.
Other non-publicly funded courses are available through TAFE colleges and private providers; however these are not included in this course list. To find these other courses, you can search a list of all VET courses in WA via the myskills.gov.au website.
Broadacre Harvest Operations skill set
State ID : AE387
Start your career in agriculture — FEE FREE!
The Broadacre Harvest Operations Skill Set will give anyone new to the agricultural industry the skills and knowledge to safely undertake employment for harvest operations in the broadacre sector. Gain the knowledge to safely operate a range of machinery used for harvest — including commercial tractors, headers, augurs and the chaser-bin. You'll also learn how to undertake agricultural crop harvesting.
Certificate I in Automotive Vocational Preparation
National ID : AUR10120 | State ID : BGA3
Rev up your career in the automotive industry!
If you're keen to start a career in the automotive industry, this course will give you the skills and knowledge for entry level work in retail, service and repair. It's the perfect way to get a head start on a pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship, because you'll already have the basics!
Certificate I in Conservation and Ecosystem Management
National ID : AHC10120 | State ID : BGF6
Thinking about a career in conservation?
If you're thinking about a future career working in conservation and ecosystem management; working with plants and animals, conservation earthworks, Indigenous land management, environmental sustainability, lands, parks and wildlife, natural area restoration and management, weed management and vertebrate pest management, this qualification is the perfect choice!
Certificate I in Engineering
National ID : MEM10119 | State ID : BEK6
Get started on your engineering career!
If you're interested in a career in engineering, the Certificate I in Engineering is for you! With this course, you'll have an opportunity to learn in a simulated work environment and be exposed to an industrial setting through work experience.
Certificate I in Horticulture
National ID : AHC10322 | State ID : BJB8
Get your green thumb to work, and kickstart a career!
If you love working with your hands and watching things grow — a career in horticulture could be for you! This is an industry with a fantastic range of job and career opportunities, and this course can start it all for you.
Certificate I in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 2 Near Coastal)
National ID : MAR10418 | State ID : BDU3
Set your career compass for success!
If you would like to work as a Coxswain Grade 2 Near Coastal skipper in the maritime industry, this is the course for you! You'll be qualified to:
Certificate I in Maritime Operations (General Purpose Hand Near Coastal)
National ID : MAR10220 | State ID : BGK6
Ready to launch your career on the seas?
This qualification is suitable for people working in an entry level position in the maritime industry as a General Purpose Hand under the direct supervision of the master or engineer of a commercial vessel.
Certificate I in Resources and Infrastructure Operations
National ID : RII10115 | State ID : AZC0
Kickstart your career in the exciting resources industry!
If you fancy a future in Australia's exciting resources industry, the Certificate I in Resources and Infrastructure Operations is the perfect course to get you job ready!
Certificate II in Aeroskills
National ID : MEA20418 | State ID : BDV9
Start up a career as an aviation technician or mechanic!
This nationally recognised qualification introduces you to aircraft maintenance and teaches you how to carry out basic repairs to aircraft. By completing this course, you’ll receive credits toward future aviation studies or an apprenticeship.
Certificate II in Aeroskills (Aeroskills Mechanical Pre-apprenticeship)
National ID : MEA20418 | State ID : AB67
Your aeroskills career — Ready for take off!
If you're keen on a career as an aeroskills mechanic, this pre-apprenticeship can get you a boarding pass into an apprenticeship or entry level job. You'll have the skills and knowledge that employers look for, and be ready to kickstart your career.
State Government STEM strategy and priorities
In May 2018 the State Government announced Western Australia’s first ever State STEM strategy. The strategy aims to build a globally competitive and innovative workforce with the skills to drive our technological future and create new job opportunities.
Read more about the STEM strategy at the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation website.
The State Government has also identified increasing participation in STEM as a key target in the Our Priorities: Sharing Prosperity program. This will be supported by training courses and programs, and skills development initiatives.
For more information about Our Priorities: Sharing Prosperity visit the WA Government website.