The $2 billion JobTrainer Fund has already seen more than 270,000 enrolments, especially in the digital and care sectors, and is aiming to provide more than 460,000 positions in total.
The fund was launched in 2020 with a $500 million commitment from the federal government. Since the launch, the government has reached agreements with NSW, Western Australia, South Australia and the ACT to match its original funding. Queensland is expected to sign on soon.
The program will be extended to 31 December 2022 and will bring the total funding available to $2 billion, and provide for about 163,000 additional training places, including 33,800 dedicated to support training in aged care and 10,000 in digital skills to strengthen Australia’s digital workforce.
The program allows Australians to consider upskilling through low-fee or fee-free courses in areas of high demand.
Eligibility criteria for job seekers have been defined broadly to ensure that women looking to re-enter the labour force, or who are not receiving income support payments, are able to access training places.
NSW so far has the highest number of enrolments with more than 130,000 applications to complete courses mainly in early childhood, community support and individual support certificate programs.
Any job seeker or young Australian can enrol through JobTrainer for either a full qualification or short course. The list of available courses was agreed between the National Skills Commission and each state and territory government based on areas of identified skills needed and employment growth.
The Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, Stuart Robert, said the national push would help reach Australians considering a career change as well as school leavers looking for something flexible with strong job prospects.
“If you want to change jobs, or get into a job, JobTrainer is a one-way ticket to skills that will land you one, it is a great deal for Australians and a win-win for our economy,” Mr Robert said.
“The latest job vacancy figures show there are hundreds of thousands of jobs across a range of exciting industries available right now and there’s money on the table for you to get skills to work in them.”
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