Released 23/09/2021 - Joint media release
Canberrans will be able to upskill or reskill in a range of fields with free training places being made available, following a $16.75m extension of the JobTrainer program delivered in partnership between the ACT and Australian Governments.
The investment is part of our plan to create 250,000 local jobs by 2025 and will focus on the priority needs of the ACT economy.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly tough for younger people starting out in their careers and those who have lost employment.
To help young Canberrans get the right skills, free training places in a range of critical skills needs areas will be available to people aged 17 to 24 who have left school, and jobseekers.
The expansion of JobTrainer will see up to 2,500 additional training places made available and delivered over the next two years.
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.
JobTrainer will provide a mix of full qualifications and short courses, with 575 training places reserved for aged care and 170 places reserved 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.
In partnership with the Australian Government, we are also providing 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.
The Future Skills for Future Jobs grants program has also 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.
Quotes attributable to Chief Minister, Andrew Barr:
The expanded JobTrainer program and our continued investment in skills are an important part of meeting workforce challenges as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills, Chris Steel
These additional free places will support school leavers and job seekers to gain qualifications in areas where there is a real skills need and where there will be jobs as we come out the other side of the pandemic.
For the first time eligibility for free training under Job Trainer will be extended to all Canberrans regardless of age or employment status in the areas of aged care, early childhood and digital skills. This recognises the shortage of qualified workers in these industry sectors.
I’d encourage 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.
- Statement ends -
Andrew Barr, MLA | Chris Steel, MLA | Media Releases