SINCE term one 2014 there were 128 jobs cut from WA regional TAFEs, including full time and causal positions.
At the South West Institute of Technology 13 staff members lost their jobs, most of which were lecturers.
Permanent and contract administration staff stayed the same and one casual administration position was made redundant.
Bunbury MLA John Castrilli was optimistic about people facing unemployment and said the wide range of support agencies and training options gave people the opportunity to up skill.
“Whilst there are challenges, we are in a good position to meet them and be innovative in terms of new employment opportunities,” Mr Castrilli said.
“Funding has been increased to schools for vocational education and training, and expansions to the South West Institute of Technology have boosted training options for people of all ages.”
Acting training and workforce development Minister John Day said the training sector expands and contracts with the economy.
“The reduction of casual staff reflects the fluctuating economy and the impact it has on training demand,” Mr Day said.
Bunbury-Wellington Small Business Centre chief executive Fiona Fitzgerald said the downturn in the economy meant causal employment was becoming more common and people should take any job to gain experience.
But WA Labor Leader Mark McGowan said it was frightening for regional communities when jobs were already few and far between.
He said the biggest issue fronting the region at the moment was jobs and we needed to look at ways to provide more economic opportunities.
He said in the last seven years more effort should have been placed on tourism and science and technology to attract investment from overseas.
“We should have utilised the skilled workforce, strong infrastructure, access to the port and the close proximity to Asia to attract overseas business to promote growth,” Mr McGowan said.
