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McGowan slams SWIT cuts

McGowan slams SWIT cuts

Opposition Leader Mark McGowan has slammed the State Government for cuts to South West Institute of Technology courses.

Speaking in Bunbury on Monday, Mr McGowan discussed a response to a question tabled in Parliament, which revealed seven courses would be cut from SWIT’s Bunbury campus among 16 from SWIT’s campuses combined.

He said 22 full-time equivalent teaching staff had already departed SWIT with another 14 to be made redundant before the end of June.

“Unemployment is on the rise in WA today and we need to do more to fight the unemployment scourge and make sure people are properly trained,” Mr McGowan said.

“Less training means less jobs, it’s as simple as that.”

According to Mr McGowan, the seven courses affected are diploma of building design and technology, diploma of civil and structural engineering, diploma of occupational health and safety, Certificate III in wall and ceiling lining, Certificate IV in building and construction (building), Certificate I in automotive vocational preparation and Certificate I in engineering.

Training Minister Liza Harvey said the courses offered were dependent on demand.

"State training providers set their staffing levels as student demand for training changes, both in the number of courses and type of training delivered. Adjustments are made when required,” she said.

In her response to Parliament last month, Ms Harvey said 40 qualifications were being offered this year that were not offered in 2014.