What the 2010 Budgets meant for Vocational Education.
The extension of the Apprentice Kickstart Program, a Critical Skills Investment Fund and further funding for the Workplace English, Language and Literacy (WELL) program are some of the announcements in this years National Budget.
Guarantee.
All people under 25 will have a guaranteed access to a course that enables obtaining either a first qualification or to lift their qualifications to the next level. The National Partnership Productivity Places Program will provide funding from 2011-2012.
VET FEE-HELP will receive $53.6 million over 4 years to provide greater access to an income contingent loan.
Kickstart extended.
The Apprentice Kickstart program will be extended from May 12 to 12 November 2010, in partnership with small and medium enterprises (less than 200 employees) who find difficulty in taking on apprentices.
The Minister for Employment Participation, Senator Mark Arbib said "For those young people who are unemployed, this gives them an opportunity not just to get a job, but for a career in the trades. We are going to need these plumbers, electricians, welders and boilermakers to meet the challenge of a growing economy."
Critical Skills Fund.
The Critical Skills Investment Fund will invest $200 million over four years to train job seekers and up skill workers. Emerging skills shortage industries include infrastructure, construction, renewable energy and resource sectors. Allocation of the monies are dependant on contributions from industry.
WELL funded.
The WELL program investment will provide a further 9,500 places over 4 years and a further committment will open up 8,000 innovative community-based places over 4 years.
State budget boosts Skills training.
The 2010 Victorian Budget is investing $32.3 million over four years for the Apprentice and Trainee Support Package to boost the number of people starting and finishing apprenticeships and traineeships – with the Apprentice and Trainee Completion Bonus, as well as providing accommodation support for apprentices and trainees.
Other highlights of the skills package in the 2010 State Budget include:
$24 million over three years to support the NMIT - Preston Campus Redevelopment - Teaching and Learning Centre. This is a new facility to accommodate further education, building design and drafting, children services, business and commerce, health and community services and corporate units;
An investment of $19 million over two years towards the construction and maintenance of a new international centre and additional teaching facilities at Holmesglen Institute of TAFE to meet increased student enrolments and boost student support resources;
$12 million to continue the TAFE Institute Specialist Teaching Equipment program which helps TAFE institutes to purchase and maintain up to date specialist teaching equipment in line with industry standards; and
$3.9 million has been committed for the Skills Stores initiative which will connect people with training opportunities and provide advisory services and referrals to Registered Training Organisations for recognition of prior learning through a network of Skills Stores.
This is on top of the $175 million Jobs for the Future Economy Action Plan. The 18 point Action Plan – announced in the first week in May – outlines Victoria’s next steps to develop industries for the future, secure jobs and foster new skills.
“Climate change poses many challenges. The Brumby Labor Government’s $175 million Jobs for the Future Economy Action Plan shows how we are taking action to give working Victorians the skills they need to get the jobs of the future,” the Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation, Bronwyn Pike said.
Key initiatives within the Jobs for the Future Economy include:
Jobs in Construction – $60 million to improve the energy and water efficiency of the State’s hospitals, schools and government buildings under Greener Government Buildings program which will secure an estimated 250 jobs;
Research – $12 million to support seven new research and industry partnership projects to develop new renewable energy, water, construction and manufacturing technologies. This will help make Victoria a productive and sustainable State and will leverage total investment of more than $40 million and support 56 high skill green jobs; and
Ms Pike said the 2010 State Budget $91.2 million skills boost and the $175 million Jobs for the Future Economy Action Plan came on top of the Brumby Labor Government’s nation leading skills reforms which provide a training place for all eligible Victorians who want one.