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 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!
Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
National ID : MSL30122 | State ID : BIX7
Get into the lab, and start an exciting career!
Want to be a lab tech? This course will provide you with the practical skills and knowledge to assist in collecting and preparing samples and to carry out, measure and record results of experiments in the physical, chemical, biological or life sciences.
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
National ID : AUR30620 | State ID : BGA5
Ready for a career in the automotive industry?
If you're thinking about a career as an automotive technician or mechanic, this is the course for you! Through this training, as an apprenticeship, you'll be trades qualified to work as a motor mechanic for light vehicles including sedans and SUVs. You'll learn how to do diagnostic testing and repair braking systems, transmissions, suspension, cooling systems, and engines, diagnose and repair ignition, charging and starter systems, and to follow workplace safety and health procedures for a workshop environment.
Certificate III in Locksmithing
National ID : MEM30819 | State ID : BEL3
This is the key to your future career!
Become a qualified locksmith with this nationally recognised qualification. You'll gain trade skills including using tools and equipment; taking measurements and performing calculations; reading and interpreting plans and specifications; and technical drawing.
Certificate III in Manufactured Textile Products
National ID : MST30222 | State ID : BIY9
You've got it made in the shade!
Through this course, you'll develop the skills and knowledge required to design, sew and construct sails, awnings, covers and other products with a wide variety of textile materials such as canvas, acrylic and PVC.
Certificate III in Marine Craft Construction
National ID : MEM30719 | State ID : BEJ7
You're gonna need a bigger boat!
How would you like to work in marine craft construction. building ships and boats? This is the qualification for you! Generally only available as an apprenticeship, this course covers everything you need to become trades qualified as a ship/boat builder.
Certificate III in Marine Mechanical Technology
National ID : AUR30520 | State ID : BGA8
This career will never give you that sinking feeling!
This qualification, available as an apprenticeship, gives you the skills to become an apprentice Automotive Technician—Marine Light, and work as a Marine Serviceperson, Marine Technician, or Marine Mechanic.
Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Integrated Rating)
National ID : MAR30220 | State ID : BFW1
Want to start your career in the maritime industry?
If you're new to the maritime industry and want to gain the skills and knowledge required for general shipboard operations, this is the course for you! It is the AMSA approved pre-sea training course required (along with the AMSA required sea service) for issuance of the AMSA Integrated Rating Certificate of Proficiency.
Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 Near Coastal)
National ID : MAR30821 | State ID : BHC8
Ready to step aboard as a maritime engineer? FEE FREE!
If you would like to set sail with a career in the maritime industry, as chief engineer on vessels with propulsion power up to 750 kW; second engineer on vessels with propulsion power up to 1,500 kW in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ); second engineer on vessels with inboard engines with propulsion power up to 1500 kilowatts within the EEZ; chief or second engineer on a vessel with outboard engines within the EEZ; an assistant under the direct supervision of the chief engineer; or in the engine room of a vessel up to 80 meters long with propulsion power up to 3,000 kilowatts.
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.