THE South West is being hit hard by widespread TAFE job cuts across regional WA, according to WA Labor leader Mark McGowan.
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Mr McGowan and his colleagues fronted media in Bunbury on Monday to raise concerns about TAFE fees, staff sackings and course cuts.
There have been seven courses cut from the Bunbury campus, including building and construction, structural engineering and occupational health and safety.
In the South West, more than 36 jobs have been lost and 40 courses cut across regional TAFEs.
WA Labor Leader Mark McGowan said it was unacceptable.
“The government is slashing and burning our TAFE system and there’s no better example than what they are doing in regional TAFEs,” he said
Training Minister Liza Harvey said the staffing levels were set as the student demands for training changed, both in the number of courses and type of training delivered.
"Under Future Skills WA, the State Government continues to heavily subsidise the total cost of training by more than 80% on average,” Ms Harvey said.
Mr McGowan said if elected, the Labor government would make more opportunities available for apprenticeships and ensure there were caps on fees.
“If you ask employers what is the principal thing they want, it is well trained staff and they are hard to get,” Mr McGowan said.
Ms Harvey said the government had noticed an increase in the primary study areas and courses were being run in support of this.
"Preliminary data shows that the proportion of students studying in priority training areas rose during 2014."
WA Labor Member Mick Murray said he was a strong supporter of the TAFEs because they had given him a good start in his own life.
