The upskilling of Western Australians in critical industries will continue with the Western Australian Government matching the Federal Government’s second round of JobTrainer funding, which will see a $103.5 million boost to local training.
JobTrainer, first announced in July 2020, funds free or low-fee training for job seekers and young people, including school leavers, to upskill or reskill in areas of identified skills need. Building on the initiative’s initial success, the Federal Government committed a further $500 million to extend and expand the Fund by two years in the 2021-22 Federal Budget – subject to agreement with states and territories – and includes funding for 10,000 additional digital skills training places and 33,800 additional training places in the aged care sector nationwide.
As at 31 August 2021, 12,635 Western Australians have taken the opportunity to reskill or upskill under the JobTrainer programme. Over 255,000 Australians have enrolled in the JobTrainer programme.
Federal Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, Stuart Robert, welcomed Western Australia’s commitment to JobTrainer and looked forward to even more Western Australians taking the opportunity to get skilled.
‘JobTrainer is supporting Australia’s next generation of skilled workers, it is equipping Western Australians with the skills needed to future-proof our economy,’ Minister Robert said.
‘It is pleasing to see Western Australia partner with the Federal Government to ensure JobTrainer continues, particularly as we all work to curb skills shortages and get as many Australians into jobs as we can post-COVID.’
Premier of Western Australia, Mark McGowan, said feedback from industry leaders and the State’s largest employers has been invaluable, with the new $103.6 million joint funding arrangement to continue to boost the local workforce and the successful Lower fees, local skills initiative.
‘Through our Skills Summits, we have listened and are implementing initiatives that address industry needs,’ Premier McGowan said.
‘These low fee courses will target specific qualifications in the key sectors of childcare, aged and disability care and civil construction, which have a critical need to upskill workers.
‘Further expansions to our successful Lower fees, local skills program will mean reduced fees for a further 30 courses, meaning there are now 210 courses being offered at heavily reduced fees.
‘This will add to our efforts to revitalise Western Australia’s training sector, which has experienced a 21 per cent increase in enrolments this year.’
WA Minister for Education and Training, Sue Ellery, said it is vital Western Australia has enough skilled workers to support local businesses and communities.
‘We are training Western Australians for in-demand jobs,’ Ms Ellery said.
‘This initiative is boosting Lower fees, local skills, providing a significant boost to industries including childcare and health care, which will benefit from a more highly skilled and locally available workforce.’
The low fee places for childcare commenced this month to address immediate needs in the sector.
The new fees for other expanded courses will be in place from 1 January 2022, with applications now open through TAFEs and training providers.
For more information about JobTrainer, visit www.myskills.gov.au/jobtrainer
For more information about getting skilled in Western Australia, visit www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/skillsready or contact your local Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64, TAFE college or training provider.
Media contacts:
Minister Robert’s Office: (02) 6277 7610
