Media statements - Enhanced worker attraction and local training supporting WA's strong economy - Media Statements

• New Skilled Migrant Employment Register to connect skilled migrants with WA jobs
• Register to enable prospective workers to advertise their skills direct to employers
• Six new building and construction occupations added to WA's skilled occupation list,  bringing the total to 170 occupations
• New statistics show massive increases in Western Australians engaged in TAFE and training
• All-time record number of apprentices and trainees engaged in building and construction and electrical courses
  

The McGowan Government has launched a new Skilled Migrant Employment Register to attract workers to key industries, helping to deliver the skilled labour needed to support Western Australia's strong economy and jobs market.

The free register, available from today, can be accessed through the Migration WA portal and has been designed to support skilled migrants to settle in WA while giving employers visibility of new talent.

The register will also support regional employers by linking migrants who indicate preferred employment in regional areas to employment opportunities in country WA.

In addition, six more building and construction occupations have been added to WA's Skilled Migration Occupation List to support the continued high level of activity in the sector.

These include project builders; surveyors; building inspectors; building and engineering technicians; roof tilers; and air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanics.

New statistics also show the McGowan Government's efforts to rebuild the training sector over the past five years are delivering incredibly strong results, including in building and construction.

There are now more than 10,000 building and construction and electrical apprentices and trainees currently engaged in WA - an all-time record.

Overall apprenticeship completions rose from 3,166 in 2020 to 4,046 in 2021 - a 28 per cent increase.

The new statistics show strong increases in building and construction and electrical apprenticeships and traineeships, including:

• building and construction apprenticeship commencements have increased by more than 150 per cent - up from 1,065 in May 2020 to 2,708 in May 2022;
• electrical apprenticeship commencements have nearly doubled over the past two years - from 1,146 in May 2020 to 2,232 in May 2022;
• the number of building and construction apprentices in training has increased from 2,583 in May 2020 to 4,558 in 2022 - a 76 per cent increase; and
• the number of electrical apprentices in training has increased from 3,377 in 2020 to 4,872 in 2022 - a 44 per cent increase.
  

There have also been significant increases in those undertaking apprenticeships for electrical mechanics and gas fitting, bricklaying, carpentry and joinery.

These training and skills initiatives - including the McGowan Government's $195 million Reconnect WA program - are working to address WA's workforce needs and help sustain the State's very strong economy.

In 2021, the State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP) was significantly expanded, including 28 building and construction occupations to support WA's economic recovery.

 

The McGowan Government is also working to attract building and construction workers to WA through the Build a Life in WA campaign.

Since the expanded campaign's launch in the UK and Ireland on July 3, visits to the Build a Life website have increased by 101 per cent and referrals to Seek have increased by 151 per cent from users in the UK and Ireland.

For more information and to access the migration portal visit www.migration.wa.gov.au

Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:

"My Government continues to work with industry to meet WA's workforce needs.

"Our very strong economy continues to require skilled labour in a diverse range of industries and these measures are another important proactive step to address these issues.

"The new register will provide an opportunity for employers to connect with skilled migrants, identifying the capabilities they need, and adding to the pipeline of skilled workers in demand in WA.

"The further expansion of the skilled occupation list to attract more in-demand building and construction workers will assist with the sector's significant workforce needs.

"Importantly, my Government's work over the past five years to rebuild WA's TAFE sector is delivering some incredibly strong results in the number of people engaged in training.

"The new statistics show massive increases in people undertaking local training, ensuring more Western Australians can find high quality, well paid jobs in our strong economy.

"The significant uptake of TAFE and training apprenticeships will ensure there is a continued pipeline of skilled labour for WA's building and construction sector into the future.

"Western Australia has had one of the strongest performing economies in the world throughout the pandemic and these measures will help deliver the additional capacity our industries need to continue to deliver benefits for our State."

Premier's office - 6552 5000

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Media statements - Enhanced worker attraction and local training supporting WA's strong economy - Media Statements
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