This post contains detailed information about pathways into electrical trades in Western Australia.
Being offered an electrical apprenticeship is getting as hard as getting into medicine. At the end of 2025 hundreds of West Australian high school students missed out on electrical pre apprenticeships.
It’s not what you know, it’s who you know
It seems that the best way to get an apprenticeship as an electrician is to have a family member who is willing to employ you.
Shortage of Trainers
The resource industry is scooping up qualified electricians and paying them a bucket load to go onto the mines. It is difficult to attract qualified electricians from industry to deliver training to the 6000 apprentice electricians in WA.
Matt Shaw from Clean Energy Skills Recommendations
Matt Shaw spoke at the Career Development Conference at Curtin late last year. He told us that there is doing to be a 4% increase in demand for electricians every year to 2050.
He suggested that teachers go to the Clean Energy site for case studies and information about future careers.
From Robert Palmer at South Metro TAFE
Rob Palmer is a senior career advisor at South Metro TAFE. I contacted him for advice on how to get into a trade as an electrician from school.
He sent this information:
- Semester 2 applications via TAFE Admissions typically open in late April/early May.
- South Metro TAFE runs Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning which includes lots of electrical skills
- Martin Turnbull at the Rockingham Jobs and Skills Centre Defence Industry Team (Martin.Turnbull@smtafe.
wa.edu.au) is a good contact for the DIPP. - MEGT (rmssupport@megt.com.au) can also be contacted regarding the DIPP.
South Metro TAFE Defence Industry Electricians
You DO NOT have to enlist in the defence forces to work in the defence industry.
The defence industry is made up of businesses that supply goods and services to the army, navy and air force.
Check out the South Metro TAFE Defence Industry Centre of Excellence for potential electrical pre apprenticeship and apprenticeships in the defence industry. You can find different, similar apprenticeships HERE.
To explore options go to your local Jobs and Skills Centre
Defence Force
If you really want the best possible training in anything to do with electrical trades, consider defence force trades. There is a range, like Electronic Systems Technician and Electronics Technician Submariner
The Defence Force has a recruiting office is down near the Convention Centre. Contact them for an careers appointment.
Checking out what is possible does not mean you are signing up!!
Linda offered some creative ideas on how to get an electrical apprenticeship.
Linda suggested:
- Certificate II in Sustainable Energy (Career Start) | North Metropolitan TAFE (northmetrotafe.wa.edu.au)
- Certificate II in Electronics | North Metropolitan TAFE (northmetrotafe.wa.edu.au)
- Certificate II in Computer Assembly and Repair | North Metropolitan TAFE (northmetrotafe.wa.edu.au)
Linda also sent through these maths tests that she has had for some time from electrical trade lecturers :
Applying for something in the engineering and mining may be an easier alternative, but it’s not a guaranteed pathway.
Private training provider
The College of Electrical Training is now the biggest trainer of apprentice electricians in WA. They have a maths quiz as part of the application, and the CET course and will also be highly competitive.
University
I have requested information from ECU about courses that lead to electrical careers. These might be easier to get into than apprenticeships.
I will publish that information in the In Focus Careers Newsletter.
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