Government joins industry with $50 million for more training places
Mar 29, 2010
The Minister for Education and Employment, Julia Gillard, today announced the Australian Government will co-fund almost 11,000 extra training places for existing workers in small, medium and large business to boost skills in high demand.
The Australian Government, in partnership with the industry, has committed $40 million to the Enterprise Based Productivity Places Program (EBPPP), to start immediately.
A second round of funding of $10 million will be allocated before July 2010 to deliver an estimated 2,700 additional training places.
Ms Gillard said the program continued the Australian Government’s pledge to strengthen national productivity and protect the Australian economy.
She made the announcement during a visit to Western Australia where as the economy improves following the global recession there will be a hunger for highly skilled employees especially in the mining industry.
The partnership also highlights the industry’s commitment to the ongoing development of the workforce with their contribution of over $15.5 million to meet the costs of training.
The rollout of the EBPPP will mean more than 2,350 businesses across the nation will have the opportunity to upgrade their workforce to increase the skills of existing workers, especially those on the priority occupations list.
Under the new program, the Government will provide up to 90 per cent of the cost of training from Certificate III to Advanced Diploma level, depending on the size of the business.
Organisations with fewer than 100 employees will receive 90 per cent of their training costs. Those with between 100 and 199 employees will receive 75 per cent of their training costs, and those with 200 or more employees will receive 50 per cent.
Under the EBPPP, Industry Skills Councils will work with small, medium and large enterprises, and industry bodies to help them carry out the training.
Ms Gillard said the national Industry Skills Council network were a perfect fit for the program, with specialised knowledge on the delivery of skills training to help enterprises navigate the vocational education and training system.
The program is part of the larger Productivity Places Program (PPP). It will create training pathways, recognise the existing skills of workers and provide training to increase the skills of the Australian workforce.
It follows a successful trial last year where more than 1,200 workers received valuable training.
To view a list of organisations receiving funding under the EBPPP, visit http://www.deewr.gov.au/Skills/Programs/SkillTraining/ProductivityPlaces/ExistingWorkers/Pages/ForExistingWorkers.aspx
For contact details for the Industry Skills Councils, visit www.isc.org.au/.
For further information about the Productivity Places Program, visit www.productivityplaces.deewr.gov.au
Deputy Prime Minister’s Press Office: 02 6277 7758
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