Two new pilot programmes to skill up young employees

Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, has launched two new pilot programmes to help deliver skilled young employees to businesses in regions where unemployment is high.

The $44 million pilot programmes – Training for Employment Scholarships and Youth Employment Pathways – are part of the youth stream of the Industry Skills Fund.

“These initiatives will help not only businesses and young people, but also their towns and communities, particularly at a time of high youth unemployment,” Senator Birmingham said.

Under Training for Employment Scholarships, businesses with less than 200 staff who hire an unemployed person aged 18 to 24 after 1 March 2015 may be eligible for funding of up to $7500 to help the employee gain new skills or qualifications.

Youth Employment Pathways offers funding to support community service organisations assist disengaged youth, aged 15 to 18, to get back into school, start vocational education and training (VET) or move into the workforce.

“These initiatives are available in selected regions where youth unemployment is high and they could potentially be expanded nationally,” Senator Birmingham said.

Businesses and community service organisations in the selected regions have until 29 February 2016 to apply through the online application form.

The Industry Skills Fund was launched on 1 January 2015 and forms a key part of the Australian Government’s ambitious VET reform that will lift the quality of training providers and courses to improve the employment prospects of students and the competitiveness of Australia’s economy.

For more information, or to apply, visit the business.gov.au website or call 13 28 46.