Roger Jaensch,Minister for Skills, Training and Workforce Growth
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is committed to growing our local workforce while also attracting skilled workers to meet demand in the building and construction industry.
Our 2022-23 Budget is about delivering for all Tasmanians, which is why we are investing nearly $620 million in funding for skills, training and workforce growth over the Forward Estimates.
This includes continuing our now $10 million High-Vis Army program, which is supporting key stakeholders to deliver the skilled workforce required to build Tasmania’s $16 billion pipeline of public and private infrastructure projects, as well as constructing 30,000 homes.
Our Government also recognises the urgent need to attract skilled workers from outside the State, and that is why the 2022-23 Budget includes an additional $1 million for the High-Vis Army program, taking the total investment to $10 million.
We know our building and construction industry is crying out for workers, and we look forward to working with them to meet immediate demands while we grow our local workforce over the longer term.
Overall, the High-Vis Army program has committed $4 million to the Master Builders Association and $4 million to the Civil Contracting Federation (CCF) to encourage more Tasmanians to pursue careers in the industry.
There is also $1 million for the Housing Industry Association to increase apprenticeships by establishing a new group training organisation in Tasmania, and we are working closely with training and workforce development provider Keystone Tasmania.
This funding complements our Government’s other investments in upskilling and training Tasmanians, with an additional $15.5m in funding for TasTAFE in this Budget, for a total of $114 million in additional funding since the 2021 election, as well as $8 million in State funding to extend the Job Trainer Fund that has already delivered 7000 training places.
Ensuring more Tasmanians have the opportunity to access the training they need to get a job continues to be a priority for our Government and its through partnerships with industry bodies, like the CCF, that we can deliver on this commitment.
