A suite of measures has been unveiled today in a $13.7 million immediate response to address South Australia’s skills crisis and deliver on our election commitments, following industry engagement.
Employers can apply for grants as part of an immediate response designed to drive new and innovative solutions to skills shortages in partnership with industries, sectors and regions.
The skills sector is critical to the future economy of the state, particularly in the defence areas following the Malinauskas Labor Government’s recent AUKUS announcement.
More than 190,000 people with vocational qualifications will be needed by 2032, yet current completion rates for VET qualifications sit below 50 per cent nationally.
That’s why this multi-million package now is so vital, as it will include grants designed to address critical shortages:
- Skill Shortage solutions in priority areas including defence, commercial cookery, brick and block, concreting and saw technology; including specific grants to get more women into trades. This will see $8.9 million in grants made available, delivering on our election commitment.
- New Skills Centre hubs in regional South Australia to connect learners, industry, training providers and provide services to get learners into training and into jobs. A $2 million investment will be provided.
- Learner Support Grants for organisations, training providers, industry and unions to develop new ways of providing wellbeing and learning supports so more students complete their studies and get a job. These grants will target learners including those who are neurodiverse, face mental health challenges, have a disability or experience barriers due to gender or to sexual, cultural or gender identity. This will see a total commitment of an extra $2.3 million invested, in addition to existing learner support funding.
- Better information by investing in a new, one-stop-shop website that will give South Australians easy access to where current and future skills needs are in different regions, and what training can be undertaken to secure a career in these industries.
Quotes
Attributable to Blair Boyer
The Malinauskas Labor Government took an ambitious plan to tackle skills shortages and rebuild TAFE – and today we take another step to deliver that.
A considerable amount of work has already been undertaken with recent engagement on South Australia’s skill needs and challenges now and into the future.
We are committed to ensuring that our high-quality training system has a strong focus on training completions and is in tune with the changing skill needs of our economy to adapt quickly to respond to new opportunities – such as with the AUKUS agreement.
These initiatives complement existing commitments around Fee-Free TAFE, the additional Fee-Free training places through registered training organisations, the establishment of our five technical colleges, outreach to schools and automotive trades mentoring program.
This plan and the initiatives outlined, are a clear commitment to overcoming skill shortages and meeting future skills needs – by investing in skills, we’re investing in our future.
Attributable to Emily Raven, Director of My Kingdom for a Horse
In order to address skills shortages across the state, it’s important that government works collaboratively with industry and training providers so we can ensure the best outcome for everyone.
VET is a critical part of enhancing our state’s economy.
These initiatives showcase a variety of ways in which trainees, job-seekers and apprentices can be supported so they are getting the most of their opportunities.
