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 Rural and Environmental Pest Management
National ID : AHC30318 | State ID : BEF8
With this certificate, you will gain the skills and knowledge to participate in strategic invasive species management practices, how to prepare for management programs and complete and assess management programs.
Certificate III in Rural Operations
National ID : AHC32816 | State ID : BCX5
Fancy a career working on the land?
If you're thinking of a career in agriculture, farming, horticulture or conservation land management — this course is the perfect choice! You'll gain a range of skills and knowledge that apply across a range of job roles, and set yourself up for a bright future!
Certificate III in Security Equipment
National ID : UEE31420 | State ID : BFL4
Don't be alarmed — This is a great career choice!
This qualification will give you the skills you need to install and configure wired and wireless security systems, which is a growing field with great job opportunities!
Certificate III in Shearing
National ID : AHC32916 | State ID : BCW7
Now here's a career that's not baa-ad!
Learn to shear sheep at a professional level with this qualification, which teaches you how to maintain consistent shearing performance while shearing at least 140 crossbred sheep per day.
Certificate III in Sports Turf Management
National ID : AHC31319 | State ID : BEY6
Join the sports turf industry at a level where you will be expected to curate and manage a wide range of turf and horticultural practices as a greenkeeper.
Certificate III in Sterilisation Services
National ID : HLT37015 | State ID : AWK3
Be ready for a career in a sterilisation service or department as an assistant, technician, or instrument technician with this qualification.
Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations
National ID : RII30120 | State ID : BGQ3
Want a career you can really dig?
If you have experience working in mining, in particular open pit work, this course can take your career to the next level and open up new job opportunities! You'll gain the skills and knowledge needed to work as a production operator; mineral processing technician; or a quarry mobile plant or surface coal operator.
Certificate III in Surface Preparation and Coating Application
National ID : MSM30216 | State ID : BAN7
Prepare a smooth surface for your future career!
This qualification provides skills in how to perform a wide range of protective coating application and surface preparations that occur across a variety of infrastructure, heavy industry and ships.
Certificate III in Surveying and Spatial Information Services
National ID : CPP30221 | State ID : BGI8
Ready to map out your future career? FEE FREE!
This qualification will provide you with the practical skills and knowledge to work with spatial data and read, interpret and apply map and other spatial information to work in a range of industry contexts including town planning, civil construction, mining, engineering, health, agriculture and defence.
Certificate III in Telecommunications Technology
National ID : ICT30519 | State ID : BER3
New career who 'dis? Are you ready to make that call?
Telecommunications is the lifeblood of almost everything we do! By completing your Certificate III in Telecommunications Technology,, you'll have the telecommunications technician skills to keep Australians and Australian businesses connected.
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.