A new grants program to encourage organisations and businesses with innovative projects to take on apprentices has been launched by Skills Canberra.
The $2 million Future Skills for Future Jobs program is aimed at giving local organisations and businesses the opportunity to help grow Canberra’s skilled workforce.
Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Meegan Fitzharris said Future Skills for Future Jobs was about working with local industry to see more people take up an apprenticeship, ensuring Canberra’s workforce had the skills needed for the future.
She wanted to see what local industry could come up with through the ‘expressions of interest’ process.
“There really are no limits,” Ms Fitzharris said.
“With funding available to a range of industries in the ACT including tourism, health, agriculture, cyber, renewable energy, space, digital and engineering.”
Chief Executive of the Canberra Business Chamber, Michael Schaper said the program would help more people take on apprenticeships by funding innovative projects that organisations co‑developed with Government and local industry.
“This collaborative approach will lead to more innovation in our local industry, meet the future skills needs of our city, and boost the number of people in apprenticeships or other training programs,” Dr Schaper said.
Following the expressions of interest, successful applicants will work with Skills Canberra to develop a project proposal for consideration by the Government.
The maximum amount of funding that can be sought is $300,000 per expression of interest.
