JobTrainer's expansion has been welcomed by a roustabout-turned-administration manager who has prompted friends to sign up.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The federal initiative supported by state governments was launched last year to support job-seekers, school leavers and young people through free or low-fee training.
It will now be extended to December 2022, if matched by states, after the Commonwealth set aside $500 million for a further 163,000 places.
The fund will support training in digital skills and upskilling in critical industries like aged care.
Howlong's Emily Smallwood was eligible for JobTrainer, as a 22-year-old working for automotive repair business BF Panels.
She began a Certificate IV in Human Resources through TAFE NSW at Albury in February.
"I had already done certificates three and four in business administration, and the idea of doing human resources was something that came from that," she said.
"I called TAFE to apply for the course and they told me I was eligible - which was so great.
"I didn't know about it previously and I have told a few people since."
Ms Smallwood, who was working on farms before being employed in reception at BF Panels three-and-a-half years ago, is now considering further qualifications.
"I knew I wanted to do the certificate, but going on to do a Diploma was a bit of a question mark," she said.
"Now I can really go for it, knowing I don't have the costs of the certificate."
Ms Smallwood said going straight into university after graduating from Catholic College in Wodonga, she found it wasn't for her, but TAFE had opened up opportunities.
"I've really enjoyed my certificates and found them more manageable," she said.
"This program is a good opportunity for everybody, whether they're in full-time jobs or not.
"It's just such a good idea and it would be great if more people knew about it.
"Coming out of COVID ... it's what everyone needs."
Courses included are associated with the areas the National Skills Commission has identified as likely to experience job growth, such as health care and social assistance, transport, warehousing, manufacturing, retail, and wholesale trade.
But the extension of the program is also forming part of the federal government's aged care reform response.
An additional 33,800 training places will be provided through JobTrainer to enable existing and new care workers in the sector to improve their qualifications.
This is intended to help bolster the workforce to deliver an additional 80,000 home care packages.
Roads, schools in budget list for Indi
Seventeen projects funded in the 2021-22 federal budget for the Indi electorate will help bring confidence in the ongoing COVID-19 recovery, Senator Bridget McKenzie says.
Lake Road, Murray Valley Highway at Old Tallangatta will receive $239,000 as part of the Black Spot Program and $9 million has been allocated "for North East rail line supporting infrastructure".
Existing projects receiving funding include:
- $845,000 to Beechworth to Yackandandah Epic Mountain Bike Trail ($1 millionalready contributed to the $2 million project)
- $280,000 to Colac Colac Caravan Park Revitalisation ($400,000 already contributed to $800,000 project).
- $3 million for Baranduda Fields Sporting Complex ($10 million already contributed to $20 million project).
- $500,000 to Wodonga Senior Secondary College School Hall refurbishment ($5 million already contributed to $7 million project).
- $50,000 for Veterans Integrated Support Service/Post Traumatic Stress Wellness Centre
"Business, industry, manufacturing and our farmers get on with the job, contributing enormously to regional economies and collectively the national economy," Ms McKenzie said.
"This budget contains a range of measures to support the growth and prosperity of our regions."
IN OTHER NEWS: