Low fee course and traineeship to boost housing sector workforce

• Certificate IV in Housing now available at North Metropolitan TAFE under the State Government's Lower fees, local skills initiative 
• Cook Government committed to supporting vulnerable Western Australians
• Upskilling social housing sector professionals to work with clients experiencing or at risk of homelessness

The Cook Government is boosting low fee training opportunities to attract new workers to the housing support industry, and to provide valuable skills for existing workers.

Launched today, the Certificate IV in Housing and traineeship will enable current workers to upskill, create clear training and career pathways for new workers, and pave the way for the future delivery of community housing-related skill sets.

Providing the Certificate IV in Housing qualification at a reduced fee through the State Government's Lower fees, local skills initiative will make training more accessible for smaller regionally-based providers and Aboriginal community housing organisations. 

The Lower fees, local skills initiative reduces course fees by up to 72 per cent for over 160 priority courses, many supporting the community services sector, such as the Certificate III, IV and Diploma of Community Services. 

The community services sector needs skilled and knowledgeable specialist staff to support people seeking social housing and experiencing homelessness. 

The Certificate IV in Housing provides the skills needed to help people access accommodation within the public and community social housing system and effectively maintain tenancies safely, securely and efficiently.

The training will improve outcomes for the industry and its clients through better management of assets and tenant experiences leading to fewer evictions.

Housing support staff work with vulnerable people who may be experiencing or are at risk of experiencing homelessness, have severe and complex mental health issues, or who are experiencing family and domestic violence, considerable financial stress or community disengagement.

The launch of the qualification and establishment of the traineeship in WA is the result of a collaboration between Shelter WA, North Metropolitan TAFE (NM TAFE), Community Skills WA, Department of Training and Workforce Development, Department of Communities, and community housing organisations.

NM TAFE will start delivering the course to the first cohort of more than 40 existing workers in Term 4, 2023. NM TAFE also plans to adapt the course to meet specific local needs and deliver customised and work-based training to students State-wide, including in regional WA.

Industry can nominate existing employees to undertake the training by contacting Community Skills WA on 08 9445 1511 or communityskills@cswa.org.au.

Find out more about free and low fee training opportunities by contacting your nearest Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64 or at www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au.

Comments attributed to Training Minister Simone McGurk:

"Developing the housing support sector's workforce is key to supporting the needs of people experiencing homelessness and seeking community and public housing.

"The launch of the Certificate IV in Housing and a new housing officer traineeship in WA follows grassroots advocacy from the WA Community Housing sector and support across several State Government Ministers and agencies.

"Housing support officer trainees will gain valuable skills in property and tenancy management for the sector and help deliver safe and stable homes to Western Australia's most vulnerable people."

Comments attributed to Housing Minister John Carey:

"Our Government is acutely aware of the current housing market across the country and we're using every lever we can to boost the supply of housing throughout Western Australia.

"Training and skills development are vital in shaping the future of the housing sector and it's imperative to empower the workforce with the relevant skills and knowledge.

"I would like to acknowledge the community housing sector's strong commitment to a housing officer traineeship and its support for training opportunities to develop its workforce.

"The housing officer traineeship will benefit workers in metropolitan and regional areas and those supporting Aboriginal community housing and complements our record $2.6 billion investment in social housing and homelessness measures."