JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH MINISTERS CASH AND IRONS
National Skills Week 2020 will focus on the critical role the vocational education and training (VET) sector has in the nation’s economic recovery from COVID-19.
As a part of the Morrison Government’s economic response to COVID-19, we have committed a further $3.3 billion to skills, including funding the creation of an additional 340,700 VET training places in areas of demand.
The Government’s reforms and investments in the VET sector will strongly assist our economic recovery.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said National Skills Week is an opportunity to think about your career and consider where vocational education and training can take you.
“In response to the impacts of COVID-19, the Morrison Government is investing an additional $3.3 billion to give hundreds of thousands of Australians access to upskilling opportunities, rollout critical infection control training and keep apprentices and trainees connected to work,” Minister Cash said.
“Our JobTrainer Fund, is an investment of $500 million from the Commonwealth Government, matched by the State and Territory Governments and providing around 340,700 additional free or low-cost training places.”
Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson said National Skills Week is a great opportunity for locals in regional Victoria to think about your career and consider where vocational education and training can take you.
“National Skills Week is a chance to recognise the valuable work of our vocational education and training sector, as it responds quickly to COVID-19 and helps set up our economic recovery,” Senator Henderson said.
Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships, the Hon Steve Irons MP, said additional investment is being made to support the nation’s apprentices and their employers through this challenging environment.
“The Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy is being expanded and extended so that it can support almost 90,000 businesses employing around 180,000 apprentices throughout Australia,” Assistant Minister Irons said.
“National Skills Week is a chance to recognise the valuable work of our vocational education and training sector, as it responds quickly to COVID-19 and helps set up our economic recovery.”
For more information about National Skills Week activities and virtual events across Australia visit: www.nationalskillsweek.com.au/
24 August 2020