Released 18/11/2021 - Joint media release
A new grants program launched today will support local businesses across a range of industries to retain and attract a skilled workforce as the ACT Government continues to focus on the recovery of the economy from the impacts of COVID-19.
Recent public health measures, travel restrictions and international border closures have had an impact on the supply of skilled workers into the ACT, with skills shortages reported across a number of industries, including our high growth sectors such as cyber, space and high-tech manufacturing, hospitality, tourism and accommodation and construction.
The ACT Workforce Attraction Cooperative Grants Program will encourage local businesses to collaborate to attract skilled workers to help get our economy booming again.
The grants program will be complemented with the development of a digital toolkit to assist businesses to sell Canberra as a great destination to live and work in as part of their recruitment activities.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the grants program will assist in supporting new projects and strategies that attract a skilled workforce to the ACT.
“Businesses are responsible for developing and recruiting the workforce they need to reopen and grow. This grant is designed to harness the impact of businesses working together to find the staff they need”.
Minister for Business and Better Regulation Tara Cheyne said the ACT Workforce Attraction Cooperative Grants Program will support business to partner to attract staff through projects that promote specific sectors or develop recruitment strategies or other solutions to attract and retain a skilled workforce.
“Examples of the types of projects we want to see include marketing campaigns to attract interstate talent, the development of industry level recruitment strategies and collaborative research into understanding skills shortages and how they can be addressed,” said Minister Cheyne.
There are two types of grants available – both requiring cash co-contributions – with total funding of $172,000 available.
Grant One:
Between $1,000 - $9,999 (excluding GST) in a single application. Funding is available to applicants who can provide a cash contribution. However, co-investment funds do not have to be on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
Grant Two:
Between $10,000 - $50,000 (excluding GST) in a single application. Funding is available on a matched dollar-for-dollar basis, cash contributions only.
The grants program is open to all business sectors, however applications that can demonstrate high growth potential of their industry or sector and contribution to Canberra’s post-COVID economic recovery will be prioritised.
To be eligible, businesses must demonstrate they are collaborating as a team or “cohort” (of two or more businesses) to attract the skilled workforce they need to re-open and grow.
Applications will close on 18 February 2022. For more information go to act.gov.au/business
- Statement ends -
Andrew Barr, MLA | Tara Cheyne, MLA | Media Releases