More than 4000 apprentice and trainee places will be supported across the Australian Capital Territory over the next four years thanks to the Liberal National Government’s Skilling Australians Fund.
Almost $10 million invested by both the Territory and Federal Governments will be available next financial year to boost apprentice and trainee numbers in Canberra.
The Federal Liberal National Government will invest $4.9 million, matched by the ACT Government, to continue the development and growth of a highly skilled workforce in the nation’s capital.
Federal Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education Senator Michaelia Cash said the Liberal National Government is supporting thousands of extra apprentices through the $1.5 billion, five-year Skilling Australians Fund, to enable Australians get the skills they need to enter the workforce.
"The Fund will ensure even more ACT residents will have the opportunity to gain real skills that lead to real careers," Minister Cash said.
"The Government knows that by investing in VET we are investing in the future of the Australian workforce and the benefits this brings to our economy.
"I’m pleased that more than 92 per cent of the ACT’s 2017 VET graduates were employed or engaged in further training - the highest in the country."
Minister for Vocational Education and Skills Meegan Fitzharris said the ACT has seen an increase in the number of apprentices and trainees over the past financial year.
"The ACT Government is committed to supporting local industry and ensuring that our VET sector is able to appropriately respond to skills shortages and provide training opportunities for our growing and diversifying workforce, now and into the future," Minister Fitzharris said.
"This investment will further assist us explore new pathway opportunities for apprenticeships and traineeships across the capital region.
"I’m also pleased to say this investment will allow us to focus on growing areas of skills demand such as cyber security and allied health.
"These are key areas we know we will need a bigger workforce, and through this funding we can position Canberra as a leader in cyber security and allied health training."
States and territories are required to contribute towards the programs funded, providing at least dollar for dollar contributions. The ACT Government will invest $8.4 million towards these skills and training initiatives in 2018-19.
The Coalition Government provided $4.17 million to the ACT in 2017-18 from the Fund to begin investing in additional local apprentices.
The ACT Government was a signatory to the Skilling Australians Fund National Partnership Agreement along with South Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.
