$30bn National Skills Agreement delivers workplace boost

National Cabinet has agreed to unlock billions of dollars to build Australian through a landmark five-year National Skills Agreement (NSA). The agreement between the Commonwealth and the states will take effect from January next year, embedding national cooperation and strategic investment in our vocational education and training sector, according to the government. The federal government…

Government moves on dodgy VET providers

The federal government will establish a new Integrity Unit within the national VET regulator, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), to combat operators rorting the system ando better protect students. The new unit will be bolstered by a $37.8 million investment to ensure it is adequately equipped and has the technology and data matching capability…

More fee free TAFE places for WA

The federal and Western Australian governments have announced that a further 22,200 Fee-Free TAFE and VET places will be available for Western Australians from January, 2024. This injection of Fee-Free training places builds on the success of free paces offered in 130 courses in 2023, and will continue to provide support for West Australians choosing…

Boost for Townsville defence innovation hub

The federal government is to back efforts by not for profit group North Queensland Simulation Park (NQ Spark) which is establishing an innnovation and industry precinct in critical technologies. The government signed a $32.2 million that paves the way for work to begin on northern Australia’s first collaborative defence industry hub in Townsville. Also supported…

New manufacturing jobs and skills council established

The Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor today announced the establishment of three new skills councils including the Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance (Manufacturing Alliance). Formally IBSA Group, the Manufacturing Alliance is an industry-owned and industry-led organisation supporting the development of skilled workforces enabling modern manufacturing industries to succeed. The CEO Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance…