The training and education landscape is constantly changing. Significant changes to vocational education and training (VET) funding have recently been introduced in NSW, ACT and SA which could have an impact on your training plans. If you haven’t considered it before, subsidised training may be a great way to meet some of your training requirements.
New South Wales
Funded training for VET in New South Wales is provided under the Smart and Skilled program. In a nutshell, it provides subsidised training to those aged 15 and over (full eligibility requirements) and covers Certificate I to IV, advanced and diploma level qualifications across a wide range of subjects.
In an extension to the Smart and Skilled initiative, fee-free scholarships were introduced on 1st July 2015. The new scholarships are aimed at young people aged 15-30 who either receive a Commonwealth welfare payment or are the dependent of someone receiving a Commonwealth welfare payment. The scholarships cover the course fees for those satisfying the additional criteria.
Full details can be found at our Smart and Skilled page or visit NSW Smart and Skilled.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT government has introduced its new VET training funding program called Skilled Capital. This scheme provides funding for VET qualifications at Certificate I to IV, advanced diploma and diploma levels. Participants must be over 15, live in the ACT and satisfy a number of additional criteria.
For more information read our Skilled Capital page or go to ACT Skilled Capital.
South Australia
The government of South Australia changed its funding program on 1st July 2015, replacing Skills for All with its new WorkReady program. This new program is focussed heavily on encouraging people to train in skills that South Australia needs for the future and covers Certificate II to IV, advanced and diploma level qualifications.
Full details of the WorkReady program and eligibility criteria can be found at SA WorkReady.
Funding programs run in Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia haven’t introduced significant changes recently, but full details on what these initiatives cover can be found at QLD: Cert III Guarantee, Future Skills WA and TAS: User Choice respectively.
Funded or subsidised training can be a great way to enhance the skills of your workforce so is well worth investigating if it can assist when putting together your training plans.