Infrastructure WA

84. Improve school infrastructure planning and delivery that meets student needs by:

1. reviewing data formats, sources, accessibility and assumptions to ensure they are timely and functional for planning school demand, greenfield and infill areas
2. applying software and systems that use new methodologies (such as scenario modelling) to test innovative solutions for government schools in the context of the public and private school assets
3. preparing a program-level business case for site acquisition in inner and middle suburbs, aligned with school network planning needs
4. enabling the use of medium-rise to high-rise public vertical schools in appropriate locations, particularly engaging with stakeholders to foster broader community acceptance of this model
5. using transportable school buildings only as a temporary demand solution, and not where enrolment growth is expected to continue
6. consistent with Recommendation 38f in the Infrastructure delivery chapter, considering offsite and modular construction that enables a contemporary teaching and learning environment
7. progressively retiring transportable school buildings where they no longer meet contemporary teaching and learning environment requirements
8. implementing collocation and shared use with childcare, health and community support services where possible, particularly in areas of disadvantage
9. consistent with Recommendation 42a in the Asset management chapter, allocating budget to implement fit for purpose asset management planning to ensure ageing school assets are functionally fit for purpose.

WA Government response 

The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 84 is partially supported. For further information please refer to the response document.

85. Better plan for and invest in future skills and training by:

1. involving the Department of Training and Workforce Development, TAFEs and relevant private training organisations when strategies or plans are developed for new or existing industry sectors, to ensure future curriculum is planned in a timely manner
2. establishing a dedicated and ongoing funding program for TAFE training equipment and software and facilitating industry co-contributions where appropriate
3. further encouraging apprenticeships and traineeships on public infrastructure projects by expanding the use of group training organisations, including the use of incentives and promoting the use of group training organisations
4. updating the Strategic Asset Management Framework’s Strategic Asset Plan and Business Case guidelines to require projects and programs with a capital cost of $100 million or more to consider the availability of, and/or need for, skills and training.  

WA Government response

The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 85 (a) is fully supported; (b-d) is partially supported. For further information please refer to the response document.