On 30 May, five metropolitan Jobs and Skills Centres were officially launched. The centres, based in TAFE Campuses in Joondalup, Balga, Northbridge, Thornlie and Rockingham, will assist both jobseekers and employers. Students, jobseekers and career changers will have access to free professional advice in respect of training and employment opportunities. Employers will also receive free assistance in workforce development including recruitment services and advice on how to enhance their existing workers’ skills.
The Jobs and Skills WA website supports the centres; providing information online about  training, careers and jobs in WA.
See media statement

The WA Government has announced $3.359 million over four years to begin delivery of the state’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills strategy. The funding will be used for professional learning for teachers at priority schools, a campaign to encourage take-up of STEM careers, mentoring to develop STEM culture in schools and enhanced access to informal digital and technology programs.​ Future jobs, future skills – Driving STEM skills in Western Australia aims to build a globally competitive and innovative workforce with the skills to drive Western Australia’s technological future and create new job opportunities.
Read more.

The Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Business has released its annual report Australian Jobs 2018. Australian Jobs provides an easy-to-read overview of industry and occupation trends in the labour market, and is designed to meet the needs of students, career advisers, people looking for work and those involved in the national employment service, jobactive.

​Click here for more.

Outdoors WA is holding the 2018 Outdoors WA Symposium and Exhibition at Swan Valley Adventure Centre on 1 June. The Breaking the Barriers symposium will feature 17 diverse speakers covering topics on outdoor education, advocacy, outback survival, innovations, trails and mountain biking. Attendees also have an opportunity to take part in a hands on adventure experience.
The event is ideal for outdoor educators, training providers, tour operators, commercial providers, outdoor instructors and outdoor enthusiasts. 
Click here for more information.

​In April 2018, Richard Sellers was appointed as acting CEO at Tourism WA. Richard Sellers leaves his position as Director General of the Department of Transport to act in the tourism role temporarily, while recruitment for a permanent executive is undertaken. 

Iain Grandage has been appointed Artistic Director of Perth Festival for 2020-23.
Iain has won seven Helpmann Awards and has a long history with Perth Festival; creating musical compositions for the opening event spectacular, Home (2016), Meow Meow’s Little Mermaid (2016), the World Premiere of The Rabbits (2015), the Festival’s co-commission Secret River (2013), the opening of the 2012 Festival Dawn:Dusk and the theatrical adaptation of Tim Winton’s infamous novel Cloudstreet (2006). 
Iain said it was a thrill to be chosen to lead the Festival in the State where he grew up and began his career. ‘Perth Festival inspired my journey into the performing arts when I first experienced it in the early 1990s,’ he said. 
‘I hope to similarly energise local artists and audiences by extending the Festival’s foundation mission as a Festival for all people.' 

The Sport and Recreation Industry Awards celebrate the State’s best sport and recreation programs, projects and initiatives. Supported by the Government of Western Australia, WA Sports Federation, Parks and Leisure Australia (WA), Outdoors WA and LIWA Aquatics, the biennial awards are open to all organisations that provide sport and recreation services and participation opportunities, including sporting associations, local governments and commercial organisations. Click here to find out more.
Applications open until 13 June 2018.

The 2018-19 recipients in the Regional Events Scheme (RES) have been announced. The annual funding scheme, which is delivered by Tourism WA and supported by Royalties for Regions, enables smaller events to operate in regional Western Australia. For the first time, the 2018-19 RES includes the Regional Aboriginal Events Scheme (RAES) that will fund events led by Aboriginal people delivering Aboriginal experiences. The full list of recipients is available on the Tourism WA corporate website.

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and the Great Southern Centre for Outdoor Recreation Excellence (GSCORE) are holding a free community workshop showcasing the best example of a Trail Town development in Australia. This keynote presentation from Chris Hughes will be followed by two presentations that reflect on trail master planning in Western Australia, as well as a facilitated workshop that aims to identify the Great Southern's unique trail offerings. This two day event will be held from 31 May to 1 June in Albany.
​For more information click here.