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 Polymer Processing
National ID : PMB30121 | State ID : BGP1
Your new career could be here!
Polymer processing — working with rubbers and plastics — is an interesting area of manufacturing and production that offers a range of job roles including extrusion, moulding and fabrication.
Certificate III in Pork Production
National ID : AHC30416 | State ID : BDB3
This entry-level qualification is suited for those who wish to pursue a career in the pork industry as a piggery attendant or stock person.
Certificate III in Print Binding, Finishing and Packaging
National ID : ICP31320 | State ID : BFB9
Want to start a career in the world of print production?
This qualification is for anyone who has a passion for creating printed products by hand or machine, or who wants to learn all the 'behind the scenes' of the print production industry, as background for a career in design.
Certificate III in Printing
National ID : ICP31220 | State ID : BFB8
Rethink your career in ink
Did you know the printing industry is one of the largest manufacturing industries in Australia and, according to the AISC, it's responsible for employing almost 27,000 people!
Certificate III in Process Manufacturing
National ID : MSM30116 | State ID : BAN8
Completion of Certificate III in Process Manufacturing can give students the opportunity to undertake apprenticeship and traineeship options in the oil and gas and resources sector or go on to complete higher-level studies.
Certificate III in Process Plant Operations
National ID : PMA30120 | State ID : BGB2
Get into the exciting world of operating technical production equipment!
The Certificate II in Process Plant Operations will take you through all the key aspects of process plant operations, and you'll learn how to use and operate a range of production equipment to directly produce particular materials and substances as part of a manufacturing process.
Certificate III in Production Horticulture
National ID : AHC30620 | State ID : BGG0
Ready to cultivate a new career in horticulture?
Whether you're looking for a professional qualification to start your horticulture career, or you have a green thumb and want to grown your own fruit and vegetables or a beautiful garden, this is the qualification for you!
Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
National ID : MEM31322 | State ID : BIV6
Looking for a cool career? This could be it!
If you would like to become qualified as an airconditioning technician or refrigeration mechanic, this is the job for you! And with WA's climate, you'll always be in demand for work in both residential and commercial settings as well as operations such as mine sites and government-owned facilities.
Certificate III in Resource Processing
National ID : RII30415 | State ID : AZF3
Kickstart your career in the resources industry!
If you would like to work as a Production Operator or Plant Operator in the resources industry, the Certificate III in Resource Processing is for you! This qualification will give you the practical skills and knowledge to work at processing facilities across the resources industry; including for iron ore and other metals, and coal.
Certificate III in Resource Processing
National ID : RII30420 | State ID : BGP5
Kickstart your career in the resources industry!
If you would like to work as a Production Operator or Plant Operator in the resources industry, the Certificate III in Resource Processing is for you!
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.