• Two new free skill sets to support the health and pathology sector are now available
• Help meet urgent demand for pathology and COVID-19 collectors
• Certificate III in Pathology Collection course fee rate reduced by 67 per cent under Lower fees, local skills
• McGowan Government continues to invest in skills priorities to support essential services and get people into jobs

The McGowan Government has announced two new free skill sets and added the Certificate III in Pathology Collection to the Lower fees, local skills initiative to meet the urgent demand for trained pathology and COVID-19 specimen collectors.

Pathology workers are in high demand, playing a frontline and crucial role in Western Australia's COVID-19 response.

Free for everyone, the short courses have been developed in consultation with industry and will deliver highly transferable skills to prepare participants for work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, GP clinics and a range of other healthcare settings.

The Pathology Collection Skill Set, completed under the supervision of a trained phlebotomist, will prepare participants to obtain blood from a patient and dispatch specimens for laboratory testing.

The COVID-19 Collection Skill Set will teach participants how to collect and dispatch a pathology specimen for testing to diagnose infections such as COVID-19. These courses will teach participants compliance with infection prevention and control policies and procedures.

Both skill sets will provide credit towards the Certificate III in Pathology Collection, which is reduced by 67 per cent under the Local fees, local skills initiative. People under 25 or eligible people of all ages looking for work will pay no more than $400 in course fees, which equates to an almost $3,500 saving.

The Certificate III in Pathology Collection is available at North Metropolitan TAFE, South Regional TAFE, LTT Group Pty Ltd, Marr Mooditj and PathWest.

The free skill sets will be available through North Metropolitan TAFE and LTT Group Pty Ltd.

For more information on free and half price training options, visit https://www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/skillsready or contact your local Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64, TAFE college or training provider.

Comments attributed to Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:

 "The McGowan Government has continued to keep training fees low to help Western Australians gain the skills needed for jobs in areas of high demand.

"The half price courses are an opportunity for more Western Australians to join our team of frontline pathology workers, training in skills needed for our State's response to COVID-19."

Comments attributed to Health Minister Roger Cook:

 "Developed in consultation with industry, the pathology skill sets are designed to attract more skilled workers to WA's health sector as it works to help keep our community safe.

"These initiatives will help us improve the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of our healthcare system."

Education and Training Minister's office - 6552 5700

Health Minister's office - 6552 6500