Free TAFE courses for horticulture students

Students and displaced workers can now access free short courses on horticulture, as part of the state government’s $229 million TAFE investment.

The Introduction to Production Horticulture Skill Set program is aimed at preparing students workers for entry level jobs in Western Australia’s horticulture sector and boosting the state’s economic recovery.

The program includes 15 job-ready and infection control short courses, which were rolled out in July. More than 2,350 students have enrolled.

Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery said enrolments in TAFE would be a major part of the state’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The state government is doing everything possible to get Western Australians back into jobs to meet the economy’s immediate workforce needs post COVID-19,” she said.

“This new fee-free training opportunity will give job-seeking Western Australians a leg up to a career in a growing industry.”

WA’s billion-dollar horticulture industry is a significant employer in regional and remote communities, the state government says.