The Department of Training and Workforce Development has announced changes to policy that aim to increase local delivery of apprenticeships in regional Western Australia.

Specifically, the policy aims to minimise the need for first year apprentices in regional areas to travel to the metropolitan area for their off-the-job training.

How?

The payment rates for RTOs  (training providers) have been amended to allow metropolitan RTO’s access to regional rates.  This will allow for metro RTOs  to enter into partnership arrangements or to factor in travel costs for lecturers to regional areas for the purpose of training delivery.

DTWD warns that the payment rates are based on existing regional rates.  Therefore, there is a need to ensure viable class sizes and associated off the job delivery schedules.

For further information, Kevin Coombes at the Resource Allocation Unit is contactable on 6551 5310 or kevin.coombes@dtwd.wa.gov.au