New measures have been announced to support Canberra’s vocational education and training (VET) sector to help keep students engaged and respond to current and future workforce needs.
Minister for Tertiary Education, Chris Steel said an additional 1,780 Skilled Capital places would be released across 73 qualifications and 38 skills sets to provide more training options for Canberrans and tackle workforce demand and supply issues.
“The VET sector, like many others, is vulnerable to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Steel said.
“It is critical that we continue to support the sector to ensure industry and students’ needs are met and to help our economy recover,” he said.
“The new Skilled Capital places, to be announced soon, will help address workforce needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Mr Steel said the Government would support training in key areas emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic including health care; aging support; tourism; retail and hospitality; and qualifications in community services.
He said the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) would also offer students, who cannot study their course online, the option to defer their studies in term two or study alternate units that could be delivered remotely.
“CIT commenced term 2 as scheduled on 28 April with teachers engaging with all existing students prior to the term commencing to ensure they are in the best position to continue their learning,” Mr Steel said.
