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.
Certificate III in Forest Operations
National ID : FWP30122 | State ID : BHK7
Take your career to the treetops!
How would you like a career working amongst nature's giants, in the forestry industry? This is the course to get you started!
Certificate III in Furniture Finishing
National ID : MSF30122 | State ID : BIJ9
Want a career creating beautiful furniture?
Through this qualification, you’ll learn how to prepare furniture surfaces and apply finishes as required for the manufacture of new furniture or in the repair or restoration of existing furniture pieces.
Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
National ID : AUR31120 | State ID : BGA2
Want a career fixing the big machines?
If you would like to work on commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses, agricultural or earthmoving machinery, the Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology is for you!
Certificate III in Horticulture
National ID : AHC30716 | State ID : BDF1
Sow the seeds for a career in horticulture!
If you love all getting your hands dirty, working in nature and watching things grow, this is the course for you!
Certificate III in Hospital or Health Services Pharmacy Support
National ID : HLT37121 | State ID : BID4
Launch your career as a pharmacy tech or assistant!
This nationally recognised qualification is the perfect starting point if you would like to work in the pharmaceuticals sector of the healthcare industry, giving you the skills and knowledge required to work as a pharmacy assistant or technician at a hospital or a community health organisation.
Certificate III in Information Technology
National ID : ICT30120 | State ID : BFF7
Your first step towards an exciting career in IT!
Information technology (IT) is an exciting industry to be in, with a great range of occupations and specialisations, and fantastic career opportunities. You'll need skills and knowledge to get your career started, and the Certificate III in Information Technology is the perfect choice!
Certificate III in Information Technology [Cyber Security]
National ID : ICT30120 | State ID : AC12
Here's where all the jobs are!
With this qualification, you'll have all the skills needed to join an IT cyber security team and get your career started!
Certificate III in Information Technology [Network Administration]
National ID : ICT30120 | State ID : AC11
Program yourself a great career!
This qualification is perfect for anyone wanting to get into IT network administration.
Certificate III in Information Technology [Web Development]
National ID : ICT30120 | State ID : AC15
Want a career in web development? Start here!
This qualification will take you through programming and web development with key subjects specialising in web design and business-focused application development — everything you need to get started as a professional web developer!
Certificate III in International Freight Forwarding (Operator)
National ID : TLI31321 | State ID : BHI1
A great career: signed, sealed, and delivered!
The Certificate III in International Freight Forwarding (Operator) is your ticket to a job with an international freight company!
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.