A new campaign kicks off today, promoting the value of apprenticeships, traineeships and vocational training to school leavers, job seekers and people wanting to upskill and reskill for jobs in demand.
Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said a skilled workforce is key to South Australia’s economic recovery, and that’s why the Marshall Government is focusing on funding pathways to secure the jobs in demand in social care, ICT, defence industries, construction and cyber security.
“The Marshall Government’s ‘Your Passion’ campaign will continue to promote the significant opportunities to train and work in skilled careers achieved through vocational pathways, including through new low-fee short courses, qualifications, apprenticeships and traineeships,” Minister Pisoni said.
“We continue to raise awareness about VET, promoting it as an equal choice to a university pathway – in fact, they work hand in hand together and are part of lifelong learning for a fulfilling skilled career.
“This grassroots campaign will feature real stories from real people, which show that VET is a proven path to an adaptable and valuable career or further study.”
The campaign builds on the momentum under the $200 million Skilling South Australia program which has seen South Australia outperforming the nation in apprenticeship and traineeship commencements.
Under Skilling South Australia, we have created more than 27,000 apprentices and trainees over the last two and a half years.
Recent National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) stats also show that SA achieved the largest percentage increase in government-funded apprentices and trainees. For the year to March 2020, we achieved a 11.9 per cent increase in paid training commencements compared to the same period a year earlier.
This puts South Australia nearly 20 percentage points above the national average in commencement growth of apprentices and trainees, learning qualifications linked directly to rewarding careers and improved employment outcomes.
“This campaign will also promote new subsidised training opportunities under the $88 million JobTrainer package in industries where there is demand for skilled workers now, including in new and emerging sectors,” Minister Pisoni said.
“JobTrainer is a jointly funded initiative of the State and Federal Government to progress a skills-led economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There has never been a better time to invest in training and employ an apprentice with State and Federal Government incentives, including the Morrison Government’s $1.2 billion Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements program to support 100,000 apprentices.”
Chief Executive of Hessel Group Tanya Cole said the social care industry would benefit from JobTrainer and was an essential service within the community.
“We need skilled workers to feel confident in providing safe, purposeful care,” Ms Cole said.
“This initiative from the State and Federal Governments is very much welcomed, to support the industry in providing a highly skilled workforce. It is a growing workforce, and the more opportunities the better for us to assist in being known as a qualified social care service. Modern social care delivers rewarding and fulfilling careers.”
Microsoft Australia National Skills Lead, Beth Worrall said that the Microsoft Traineeship Program operating in South Australia offers an exciting career opportunity for school leavers or those who have lost their jobs as a result of COVID-19. The demand for people with technology skills will continue to grow as the economy recovers.
“The Microsoft Traineeship Program, run in collaboration with TAFE SA, provides an excellent foot-in-the-door to an exciting and rewarding career in IT. We’re proud to work with a number of local employers to create employment opportunities for South Australians.”
The Your Passion campaign production and planning provided up to 50 local South Australians work during production and post-production.
