The Australian Government has been actively engaging with industry to develop solutions to skills shortages throughout Australia through a number of major initiatives since 1999, including:
- National Industry Skills Initiative 1999 to 2003, and
- National Skills Shortages Strategy 2004 to 2008.
From August 2008, this engagement will continue through the Workforce Innovation Program (WIP).
The WIP priorities include:
- strengthening industry leadership in reform of the training system, particularly the role of Industry Skills Councils (ISCs);
- support focused on achieving the outcomes of Commonwealth/State agreements;
- the government’s response to climate change, particularly in terms of strategies supporting the development of ‘green skills’; and
- support for an innovative culture in the training sector.
WIP guidelines are now online:-
All applications for WIP funding received after 18 August 2008 MUST use this version of the Guidelines.
Contact details:
Branch Manager
Workforce Development Branch
Location 735
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
GPO Box 9880
Canberra ACT 2601
wip@deewr.gov.au