INCREASED FUNDING AND PLACES FOR TRAINING
10 May 2005 MINBUD 16/05
Parents and older workers will benefit from the
Australian Government’s announcement of an extra $42.6 million over
three years from 2006-07 for additional vocational education and
training places.
Under the Welfare to Work initiative, up to 12,300
places will be available to assist parents and older workers
receiving welfare payments to obtain qualifications that will
improve their employment prospects and help them re-enter the
workforce.
This training will ensure parents and older workers
seeking to re-enter work have up-to-date skills that are recognised
by employers across Australia.
Funding for these places will be available from 1
July 2006. These funds will be included in the Australian
Government’s offer to the States and Territories for a new
Commonwealth-State Training Funding Agreement for 2005-2008.
States and Territories have already been offered
$4.9 billion over 2005-2008 under a Commonwealth-State Training
Funding Agreement. Some $39 million of the extra $42.6 million for
parents and older workers will be available over the calendar years
2006-2008 taking the total funding offer to almost $5 billion.
As a result of this Budget measure, States and
Territories are now being offered $215 million of additional funding
compared to funds provided in 2004. This is an annual average real
increase in funding of 4.1% over the quadrennium compared to 2004.
If the States accept the Commonwealth’s funding
offer, up to 128,200 additional places will be available over
2005-2008.
It is now time for the States and Territories to
accept the Australian Government’s offer of almost $5 billion over
the 2005-2008 funding period.
If the States and Territories accept the offer, over
the quadrennium an additional 10,000 places will be provided for New
Apprenticeships in skills needs traditional trade qualifications, an
additional 10,000 places in other skill needs areas including child
care and aged care, an additional 26,000 places for older workers
and an additional 10,000 places for people with a disability.
Media Contacts:
Dr Nelson’s Office: Yaron Finkelstein 0414 927 663
Dept of Education, Science & Training: Virginia Cook 0412 971 323
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