Investing in our Future: Skilling People

16/5/02
A massive investment in science, education and training is the centrepiece of the 2002-03 State Budget.
Treasurer Eric Ripper said the investment was part of a long-term plan to ensure Western Australians were equipped to play a part in the economic life of the State.
Education services would receive a record $118million increase in the Budget to reduce class sizes, focus special attention on scientific research and to provide broader access to modern computer technology.
And 12,500 apprentice and trainee starts were expected this year.
"More Western Australians than ever before will have opportunities to take control of their own destinies and in the process drive continued economic growth for the State," Mr Ripper said.
"Significant funding boosts for schools will complement training programs for people no longer in the school system.
"More than 125,000 students are expected to enrol in TAFE courses during 2002-3. That represents approximately one in 10 working-age Western Australians."
The Gallop Government was committed to giving all WA children the best opportunities in the school years.
"More teachers and better access to classroom technology will deliver enormous benefits in the foundation years of learning," Mr Ripper said.
Highlights included:

• an extra 387 primary school teachers, including an additional 40 as part of the Government's literacy and numeracy program;

• education spending increased by $118million, or 5.7 per cent, to a record $2.2billion;

• an injection of $14million in 2002-03 ($56million over four years), to develop on-line education services. This funding would complement the Government's $129million investment in information and communication technology infrastructure;

• $6million for the continuing distribution of notebook computers to teachers;

• $2.3million this year ($7.025million over four years) to implement changes to the post-compulsory school years, as identified in the Curriculum Council report Our Youth, Our Future; and

• $130.9million on capital works, including funds for new primary schools at Ellenbrook and South Atwell, and a new high school at Canning Vale.

Mr Ripper said a growing economy required workforce planning and an investment in skills development. It was part of the Government's determination to 'go for growth'.
The State's training budget would increase by $8million or 2.5 per cent this year.
Highlights included $61.3million in training to support the booming resources and mining sector; and $2million to support the teaching, learning and assessment skills of TAFE lecturers.
A further $1million would be provided for the First Click strategy to offer computer literacy courses for adults who would normally not be exposed to modern computer technology.
The Government would spend $100million over the next four years, $32.6million of it next year, on science and innovation programs administered under the new Office of Science and Innovation.
Specific initiatives would include financial incentives to encourage student teachers to take positions as science teachers and fellowships to attract researchers from interstate and overseas.
"Such substantial commitments reflect this Government's strongly held view that investing in our people, and particularly in our young people, is a funding decision which will pay back its cost many times over," Mr Ripper said.
Minister's office: 9213 6800