Young people in Tasmania’s north-west will soon have improved opportunities to build their skills and choose occupations in demand in their region, through a new Industry Training Hub announced in Burnie today.
Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships, the Hon Steve Irons MP, said the Morrison Government is investing $50.6 million to trial Industry Training Hubs in ten regions across Australia with high youth unemployment.
“While there is a record number of young Australians in employment, Industry Training Hubs are about setting up even more young people-particularly those in regions with high youth unemployment-on a path to a long-term career,” Assistant Minister Irons said.
“The Training Hubs will strengthen partnerships between local schools, industries and employers, and ensure that vocational education and training is a first-choice option.”
Burnie’s Training Hub will target year 11 and 12 students, with a facilitator providing career advice and mentoring and promoting education and training pathways in areas of local skills shortages.
The federal Member for Braddon, Mr Gavin Pearce MP, welcomed the announcement.
“The hub gives our young people another opportunity to access the job skills they need. Our region has exciting opportunities ahead of us, particularly with Project Marinus and the region’s potential renewable energy boom, but we must ensure that our workforce is skilled and industry-ready. That’s why this industry training hub is so important.
“Providing the skills our young people need, through collaborative, industry-based vocational training-whether that’s in construction, manufacturing, agriculture, mining or energy-that’s how we’ll ensure our workforce will meet the needs of industry, now and into the future.”
The Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business will undertake a procurement process to engage a facilitator to deliver Training Hub services in Burnie.
The Industry Training Hubs are part of the Morrison Government’s $585 million Skills Package. The Delivering Skills for Today and Tomorrow package includes a range of measures that will boost skills training to ensure that young Australians are skilled up and job ready.
“The Morrison Government is determined to tackle youth unemployment,” Assistant Minister Irons said.
“This Industry Training Hub will offer young people the skills and experience they need to get work, stay in work, and remain competitive into the future.”
The first Training Hub will be established in Burnie from January 2020.
The remaining nine Training Hubs will be located in:
- New South Wales (Grafton, Gosford)
- Mid North Queensland (Townsville)
- Queensland (Maryborough)
- Victoria (Shepparton)
- Western Australia (Wanneroo, Armadale)
- South Australia (Port Pirie)
- Northern Territory (Alice Springs)
