The Coalition Government has partnered with the Marshall Liberal Government to create thousands of new apprenticeships and traineeships through the Skilling South Australia Initiative.
Almost $203 million has been invested through the partnership to ensure South Australians have the skills for jobs of the future.
Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education Senator Michaelia Cash said the investment was part of the Coalition Government’s Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) National Partnership Agreement.
Through the SAF, the Australian Government is helping the States and Territories to boost the number of apprenticeships and traineeships across Australia, expected to create an additional 300,000 apprentices and trainees to the Australian workforce over three years.
Minister Cash said the Initiative will deliver targeted and customised supports and incentives for prospective apprentices and trainees, students, industry and employers, as well as cut red tape, introduce Industry Skills Councils and provide thousands of direct and indirect jobs for locals.
"This $203 million investment is expected to create over 20,000 new apprenticeships and traineeships, and South Australian employers will gain the skilled workers they need to drive innovation and growth," Minister Cash said.
"South Australia already received $11.2 million in funding for 2017-18 as part of this Skilling Australia Fund allocation.
"Today’s announcement demonstrates the Morrison Coalition Government’s commitment to ensuring South Australia grows its vital skills based industries such as defence, aerospace, technology, mining services, tourism and other sectors, to underpin the economic growth of the state.
"We are boosting apprenticeship numbers in South Australia – providing real skills for real careers for young South Australians to have the opportunity to participate in their state’s defence and infrastructure capability growth."
The Coalition investment in the SAF is worth an estimated $1.5 billion, and South Australia will be eligible to receive up to $83.5 million over the four years of the agreement, to be matched dollar for dollar by the state government.
The SAF National Partnership Agreement commenced on 1 July 2018 and has been committed to by South Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory. There are continuing negotiations with the remaining states.
