Canberrans will be able to access free training spaces to upskill or reskill in a range of fields, following a $16.75m extension of the ACT and Australian Governments’ JobTrainer program, Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Minister for Skills Chris Steel announced today.
To help young Canberrans get the right skills, free training places in a range of needed critical skills will be available to people aged 17 to 24 who have left school, and jobseekers. The investment is part of the ACT Government’s plan to create 250,000 local jobs by 2025, and will focus on the priority needs of the ACT economy.
The expansion of JobTrainer will see up to 2,500 additional training places made available and delivered over the next two years, providing a mix of full qualifications and short courses. Of these, 575 training places are reserved for aged care, and 170 places for digital skills. Free places in aged care, early childhood education and care, disability care, and digital skills will be made available to all Canberrans, not just jobseekers or young people.
The first training places will be made available before the end of 2021, supporting ACT school leavers into further education and training so they can find a good job.
The new funding will also support other vulnerable Canberrans who struggle to find a job, including those who have been out of work for an extended period, through providing places in pre-employment, pre-apprenticeship, and foundation skills programs.
“We know it’s been a difficult couple of years for Canberra’s young people and those who have lost employment, but these free training places are a huge opportunity to get the skills needed to build a successful career in many different industries,” Mr Barr said.
“For the first time, eligibility for free training under JobTrainer will be extended to all Canberrans regardless of age or employment status in the areas of aged care, early childhood, and digital skills,” Mr Steel said. “This recognises the shortage of qualified workers in these industry sectors.”
In partnership with the Australian Government, the ACT Government will provide free training and short courses through the Infection Control Training program, to help local businesses keep their workers and customers safe.
This program will support Canberra’s safe and gradual reopening by giving workers in industries including retail, hospitality, and personal services, access to nationally accredited training on how to operate in a COVID-safe way.
Mr Steel encouraged local businesses to take advantage of the free infection control training available for all workers to get ready for Canberra’s safe re-opening.
“Understanding how to operate in a COVID-safe way for your sector will be important for keeping our whole community safe in the months ahead.”
The Future Skills for Future Jobs grants program opened this week. It will provide up to $1 million for innovative projects delivered in partnership with industry to increase the uptake of Australian Apprenticeships.
More information about these programs is available from the Skills Canberra website.
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