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 IV in Meat Processing (Meat Safety)
National ID : AMP40516 | State ID : BDH9
Are you considering a career involving food safety?
The Certificate IV in Meat Processing (Meat Safety) qualification covers work activities undertaken by meat inspectors in meat processing enterprises, usually at export processing plants.
Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing
National ID : HLT47815 | State ID : AWJ8
Feast your eyes on your new career as an optical dispenser!
Optical dispensers who dispense and supply optical appliances as prescribed by optometrists and/or ophthalmologists, in accordance with The Australian Standards. They work in a range of settings including retail optical dispensaries, optometric practices, hospitals, specialist medical facilities, and laboratories.
Certificate IV in Preparation for Health and Nursing Studies
National ID : 52895WA | State ID : BGS66
Set yourself up for a rewarding career in healthcare — FEE FREE!
If your goal is to become a qualified healthcare professional, this course will give you the underpinning knowledge and skills to meet entry requirements for the Diploma of Nursing or Diploma of Anaesthetic Technology or give you a pathway into other healthcare or nursing related qualifications at degree level.
Certificate IV in Process Plant Technology
National ID : PMA40116 | State ID : BAN0
Advanced operators and operations technicians — Skill up!
The Certificate IV in Process Plant Operations is a technical qualification for advanced operators and operations technicians who use production equipment to directly produce product. Technicians undertaking the course will typically be involved in solving complex problems requiring theoretical knowledge, combined with an understanding of the production process and equipment across the plant.
Certificate IV in Resource Processing
National ID : RII40520 | State ID : BGQ2
Ready to blast your career to the next level?
If you have experience in mineral processing operations, and would like to progress your career into a supervisor, team leader or manager role — this is the course for you!
Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services
National ID : HLT47015 | State ID : AWN1
This course covers a range of varied activities performed in a sterilising service or department and is for managers and supervisors working in a sterilising department.
Certificate IV in Surveying and Spatial Information Services
National ID : CPP41721 | State ID : BGI7
Looking to build on your surveying skills?
Equip yourself with the practical skills to support a surveying team by enrolling into the Certificate IV in Surveying and Spatial Information Services.
Certificate IV in Surveying and Spatial Information Services (Surveying)
National ID : CPP41721 | State ID : AE32
Looking to build on your surveying skills?
Equip yourself with the practical skills to support a surveying team by enrolling into the Certificate IV in Surveying and Spatial Information Services.
Certificate IV in Telecommunications Engineering Technology
National ID : ICT41219 | State ID : BEQ6
Get into the exciting world of telecommunications!
If you would love to work in the engineering technology field as an advanced technician, technical officer, team leader or supervisor and gain a wide range of telecommunications skills, this is the course for you!
Certificate IV in Train Driving
National ID : TLI42622 | State ID : BHX8
Get railroaded into some quality training and a great career!
Train your sights on becoming a qualified train driver with the Certificate IV in Train Driving! This nationally recognised qualification will teach you to drive a range of electric passenger trains, locomotives and heavy haul freight trains.
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.