History

CET's History SINCE 1975

The College of Electrical Training (CET) is one of the longest established private training providers in Western Australia delivering prevocational, post trade and apprenticeship training.

CET was created by ECA WA when members identified a need to improve the industry relevance of training being provided to apprentices and advance the quality and skills of emerging graduates. As a result, the Electrical Electrotechnology Training Centre (EETC) was created in Malaga. The Training Centre quickly outgrew its accommodation and relocated to its Balcatta campus in 1998 as the College of Electrical Training (CET).

Today, CET trains over 5500 metropolitan and regional students per year, including apprentices undertaking their Certificate III in Electrotechnology - Electrician qualification, Electrical Fitters and electricians and contractors undertaking advanced post-trade training designed to up-skill the existing workforce. CET also delivers a range of pre-apprenticeship and school based apprenticeship programs for year 11 and 12 students.

CET operates from two campuses: Jandakot, which was opened on 4 March 2008 and Joondalup Campus, which opened in June 2013 replacing the former Balcatta campus. CET’s training is delivered by a flexible mix of a face-to-face training, open learning and blended learning. Students have the option to choose which delivery method suits their needs and can easily switch learning modes if their needs change. This is particularly beneficial for regional and remote students who can now access quality training without the need to physically attend a training centre. This progressive approach is ensuring the electrical industry has a constantly growing pool of trained and qualified tradespeople.

CET trains over 50% of WA’s apprentices and the quality of CET’s training has been recognised by a number of awards including the following:

• In 2007, the College was one of only two private RTOs to receive a lifetime “Three Gold Star” rating award from ITSE under the Provider Excellence Scheme.

• In 2010, CET was awarded the WA Department of Training and Workforce Development (WADTWD) Small Training Provider of the Year Award.

• Instructor Rod Grondein won the 2010 National Trade Teacher Awards and was also awarded the 2010 National E-Oz Innovation and Development Award.  

• Every year, a number of CET’s apprentices are the recipients of awards presented by independent organisations such as Group Training Australia, NECA National and Electrical Group Training.

• CET’s instructor Cameron Cherry won the National 2012 Trade Teacher Award.

• In 2013, CET was one of two finalists for the WADTWD Large Training Provider of the Year Award. To its knowledge, CET is the only private provider to have ever been a finalist in this category.

• In 2014, CET was awarded the Worksafe Platinum award for Safety. 

• In 2014, Large Training Provider of the Year

• In 2015, Finalist Large Training Provider of the Year

• In 2017, CET was awarded the Worksafe Platinum award for Safety

• In 2018, CET was a finalist in the WADTWD Industry Collaboration Award Category​

• In 2019, CET won the WADTWD Industry Collaboration Award

• In 2020, CET was awarded the Worksafe Platinum award for Safety for the third consecutive time 

These awards are testament to CET’s commitment to training and the development of highly skilled and work-ready young employees. They reflect the positive way CET relates to its clients, its responsiveness to industry needs and the high quality training it provides.

CET’s close relationship with industry in Western Australia ensures its training remains relevant to industry’s changing needs and sets the college apart from its competitors.