Skills Reform Strengthened with $37.6 Million Boost

September 27th, 2010

From the Victorian Government website:

Every apprentice will have access to the Victorian Training Guarantee as part of a $37.6 million Skills Reform funding boost designed to enhance hands-on training.

Skills and Workforce Participation Minister Bronwyn Pike said the investment would improve the flexibility of the Victorian Training Guarantee for apprentices and ensure more young people without a post high school qualification have access to skills training.

"As a result of the Victorian Government's $316 million Securing Jobs for Your Future - Skills for Victoria package, around 89,000 students without a Year 12 or equivalent qualification have started training this year.

"The Skills Reform agenda is delivering a training system that provides greater flexibility and new opportunities for the 1.6 million Victorians without a post-school qualification."

The $37.6 million Skills Reform funding boost also includes:

• $10 million to provide training eligibility exemptions to ensure people who are disadvantaged in the labour market, those seeking training in skills shortage areas, and career shifters, with access to the Victorian Training Guarantee; and
• $2.6 million to support workforce development scholarships for school teachers and industry practitioners wanting to move into VET teaching.

Ms Pike said the Ernst & Young review of the implementation of the Securing Jobs for Your Future - Skills for Victoria package found the reforms were working well and delivering increased choices for students and more opportunities for training providers.

The Ernst & Young review, and the Government response, can be accessed at:http://www.diird.vic.gov.au/diird-strategies-and-initiatives/securing-jobs-for-your-future-review

Click here to read the full article on the Victorian Government website.