The Victorian government has moved to provide industries with more support to train their current and new workforce with a new $40 million Workforce Training Innovation Fund (WTIF).
Through the fund, grants of up to $5 million will be provided to see providers working with businesses to develop innovative new training programs and approaches.
The government said successful initiatives will have a focus on increasing productivity in the workplace and ensuring existing workers and students looking to enter the workforce have the skills they need to take up jobs in new and emerging industries.
The initiative will also support job growth and innovation in its six priority industry sectors including transport, new energy and medical technologies.
Seed funding of up to $50,000 is also available to help applicants develop, scope and prepare partnerships and projects.
Further information on WTIF, including applying for seed funding, is available online.
“The Andrew Labor Government’s new Workforce Training Innovation Fund will help to train Victoria’s current and future workforce,” said Minister for Training and Skills, Gayle Tierney.
“With a rapidly changing economy, we’re providing more support to industry to ensure real training leads to real jobs.
“It gives industry a voice in the training being delivered to their workers and it will help them to attract new opportunities in the future.”
According to Victorian Skills Commissioner, Neil Coulson, “WTIF is a great opportunity for quality training providers and Victorian businesses to join forces and work together to address the training challenges faced by industry into the future.”
“I have been speaking with businesses across the state who see this as a great new initiative to better align training with industry needs and enhance labour market outcomes.”