Education and Training

The South West features a choice of government and non-government schools as well as a university campus and technical colleges.

For companies seeking skilled labour more than 50 per cent of the working population in the greater Bunbury region have either a trade certificate or are tertiary qualified.

Around 15 per cent of the adult population is university educated.

Trade qualifications

Vocational training is available throughout the South West which provides young and mature age students with work and business skills required to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding economy.

Western Australia’s Technical and Further Education institution (TAFE) offers off-the-job training for employees being trained as trade apprentices. There is a major campus in Bunbury, and several other smaller campuses  in other locations throughout the South West.

These colleges offer training in carpentry and joinery; automotive engineering; electrical, fabrication, mechanical, process plant operation and many other areas including retail, administration, hospitality, horticulture and hairdressing.

In Western Australia each year 4500 new tradespeople are trained in automotives, electrical, building and construction, and metals manufacturing services through the TAFE system.

Universities

Bunbury City hosts one of five campuses belonging to the Edith Cowan University.

In Bunbury Edith Cowan offers courses in business, communications, social work, nursing and other disciplines including its unique Surf Science Degree.

In Western Australia each year 15,700 people graduate from universities with 550 graduating in engineering, 5,000 in business and commerce and 500 in law.