JobTrainer: 270,000 Australians turning up to get skilled as program expands into second year

The Morrison Government today launched a national push to get more Australians to take advantage of its $2 billion JobTrainer Fund to upskill in areas of critical need in the Australian workforce as new data demonstrates the nation has hit over 270,000 enrolments.

A new national campaign, which will run online and on television, is aimed at getting all Australians, regardless of age or employment status, to consider upskilling through low-fee or fee-free courses in areas of high demand, particularly in Australia’s booming care and digital sectors.

The latest data shows 271,038 Australians have enrolled to upskill or reskill for a career in a priority industry through JobTrainer. In total, the expanded JobTrainer Fund will provide around 463,000 additional training places to help plug skill gaps.

The Morrison Government has reached agreements with New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and the ACT to match the Federal $500 million expansion and extension of JobTrainer to ensure young Australians and those out of work have ongoing access to free or low fee training. Queensland is also expected to sign on to the expanded fund shortly.

Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, Stuart Robert, said the national push would help reach Australians considering a career change as well as school leavers looking for something flexible with strong job prospects.

‘If you want to change jobs, or get into a job, JobTrainer is a one-way ticket to skills that will land you one, it is a great deal for Australians and a win-win for our economy,’ Minister Robert said.

‘The latest job vacancy figures show there are hundreds of thousands of jobs across a range of exciting industries available right now and there’s money on the table for you to get skills to work in them.

‘I encourage all Australians to consider having a crack at a JobTrainer course­ join the skilled workforce today.’

Any job seeker or young Australian can enrol through JobTrainer for either a full qualification or short course. The list of available courses was agreed between the National Skills Commission and each state and territory government based on areas of identified skills need and employment growth.

To find out more on the courses available in your area visit www.australia.gov.au

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Background

Links to content for use:

• Social media (Facebook) cut downs of the ads can be downloaded from this link.

• Versions of the 30” and 15” advertisements (YouTube quality) can be downloaded from this link.

The Morrison Government initially committed $500 million in 2020-21 to establish the JobTrainer Fund, which is being matched by states and territories, totalling $1 billion to fund around 300,000 places.

In the 2021-22 Federal Budget the Morrison Government committed an additional $500 million to extend and expand the JobTrainer Fund until 31 December 2022, with matched contributions to be agreed with state and territory governments.

The extension will bring the total funding available under the Fund to $2 billion, and provide for around 163,000 additional training places, including 33,800 dedicated to support training in aged care and 10,000 in digital skills to strengthen Australia’s digital workforce.

Eligibility criteria for job seekers has been defined broadly to ensure that women looking to re-enter the labour force, or who are not receiving income support payments, are able to access training places. 

JobTrainer enrolments by state

National top five courses

• Certificate III in Individual Support
• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
• Diploma of Nursing
• Certificate III in Community Services

ACT top five courses

• Training in Introduction to Organisational Cyber Security [extract from 22334VIC]
• Preparatory Skill Set for Professional Graphic Design Practice
• Certificate III in Information, Digital Media and Technology
• Certificate III in Fitness (Gym Instructor)
• Certificate III in Individual Support

NSW top five courses

• Certificate III in Individual Support
• Statement of Attainment in Construction Entry Level (White Card)
• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Certificate III in Community Services
• Certificate III in Business Administration

NT top five courses

• Customer Service
• Diploma of Leadership and Management
• Espresso Machine Operation
• Food Handling
• Cert III in Community Services

QLD top five courses

• Certificate III in Individual Support
• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Certificate III in Hospitality
• Certificate II in Security Operations
• Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

SA top five courses

• Certificate III in Individual Support
• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways
• Diploma of Nursing
• Certificate IV in Information Technology

VIC top five courses

• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
• Certificate III in Individual Support
• Diploma of Nursing
• Certificate IV in Disability

WA top five courses

• Certificate III in Individual Support
• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Certificate III in Community Services
• Certificate III in Hospitality
• Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations