An $11.6 million upgrade at North Regional TAFE's Broome campus is now underway. The new centre aims to up-skill workers for the region's hospitality and tourism industries.
Construction will be carried out by a local Broome building company, with the project consisting of two state-of-the-art buildings; one for hospitality and tourism, the second for hair and beauty training.
Designed locally by Engawa Architects, the buildings will be linked by an outdoor meeting place, and among the many highlights will be a training restaurant and alfresco café, providing a welcome boost to hospitality and tourism training.
The hospitality industry is vital to the region's peak tourism season, and the new facilities will help deliver more skilled workers for Broome and the Kimberley.
Construction is expected to be completed in July 2022.

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Western Australian tourism businesses impacted by COVID-19 will soon be able to apply for funding support under a new joint Commonwealth-State program valued at up to $16.8 million.
 
Eligible tourism businesses will be able to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to assist with some of the financial impacts resulting from much of the country being under significant COVID-19 restrictions in recent months.
 
Applicants must demonstrate at least a 30 per cent reduction in turnover by comparing the period 15 May - 25 June with 10 July - 20 August to be eligible for support.


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The Government has committed $10 million in the 2021-22 State Budget to provide one-off funding for Local Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Services (LACHS), which includes provision for capacity building. The funding forms part of a commitment to progress the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Bill (ACHB) 2021. 

The ACHB will deliver reform of Western Australia's Aboriginal heritage laws by replacing the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 to deliver greater protection for Aboriginal cultural heritage.

The Bill recognises that Aboriginal people hold the knowledge and cultural responsibility for their heritage. Under the new Bill, decisions about what qualifies as Aboriginal cultural heritage will be in the hands of Aboriginal people.

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Edith Cowan University has unveiled the first designs of their new city campus, set to open in 2025. The campus will house the WA Screen Academy and the WA Academy of Performing Arts, as well as business and technology schools. The campus is anticipated to attract 9,200 students and staff when it opens, growing to 11,500 by 2030. It will facilitate 300 live WAPPA performances annually, forming the hub of the $.5 billion Perth City Deal.

Watch the unveiling
Explore the new city campus

Finalists have been announced for this year's WA Training Awards. Ten organisations and twenty seven individual finalists will attend the awards ceremony in September, including WA School-based Apprentice of the Year 2021 finalist Taj Morris. Taj completed the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery  apprenticeship through Geraldton's Central Regional TAFE campus. The Certificate III in Commercial Cookery is on the Lower fees, local skills list.

Read Minister Ellery's full media statement

The State Government has announced a range of new initiatives to attract and retain skilled workers in Western Australia, following on from the WA Skills Summit, hosted with Premier Mark McGowan, Minister for Education and Training the Hon Sue Ellery, and industry leaders in July.
Initiatives include an extension of the mature-age apprentice scheme, the Jobs and Skills WA Adult Apprentice Employer Incentive, an onshore skilled migrant attraction scheme, and an advertising campaign "to attract interstate and New Zealand workers and increase participation of under-represented groups in WA".

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SkillsIQ have released Draft 1 products for qualifications in Travel, Tourism, Hospitality and Events. These qualifications sit within the SIT Training Package. Industry feedback is welcome on these products and will be accepted until 5pm AEST Monday August 9th.
Further information about these products including links to webinars can be found below; 
Tourism
Travel
Events 
Hospitality.