The Federal Government has launched its $558 million National Workforce Development Fund with the aim of providing 130,000 Australians with the opportunity to learn new skills for sectors that are currently experiencing skills shortages.

 

The Fund, to be managed by the new Workforce and Productivity Agency once it is established in 2012, will provide $558 million over four years, with $148 million available during 2011-2012.

 

Under the fund, individual enterprises will be able to make bids to their respective Industry Skills Councils to secure matched funding to train their current or prospective workforce. 

 

According to the guidelines, projects supported by the Fund during 2011-12 must involve a partnership comprising of one or more Participating Organisations (PO), an Industry Skills Council (ISC) and at least one Registered Training Organisation (RTO). ISCs will play a key role in assisting organisations to identify their training needs, facilitating the selection of a RTO to meet these needs and monitoring the implementation of successful proposals.

 

The co-contribution model means that large enterprises will contribute 66 per cent of the cost of training, medium enterprises 50 per cent and small enterprises 33 per cent.

 

“Funding support will be available for accredited training for new and existing workers to help meet businesses skills demands,” Senator Evans said.

 

The 2011-12 round of the National Workforce Development Fund will make $73 million available across all industry sectors with $50 million focusing on the priority industry sectors of Construction (civil and general) and Aged Care. $23 million will support training in all sectors in occupations that are in high demand. Subject to industry demand, there will be up to $10 million available for projects that support the development of clean and renewable energy – up to $5 million from the $25 million available for projects in the construction sector and up to $5 million from the $23 million available for projects in all sectors.

 

A further $75 million in 2011-12 will be provided through the Critical Skills Investment Fund (CSIF) which forms a part of the National Workforce Development Fund. The CSIF will increase the workforce capacity and productivity of critical industries, with the first round being targeted at the resources, infrastructure, construction and renewable energy sectors..

 

Applications can be submitted until 30 September 2011.  An assessment of eligibility and priorities for funding will be undertaken by ISCs in consultation with DEEWR. This will be followed by a DEEWR assessment of all proposals. Final approval of proposals will be made by the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations. Trainees participating in projects approved for funding during 2011-12 must commence training on or before 31 March 2012.

 

Further information on the new Fund can be found at www.deewr.gov.au/nwdf