Businesses, employees and job seekers in Queensland are to have access to a pilot initiative designed to provide targeted skills development training.
Minister for Training and Skills Development, Shannon Fentiman said the short courses, termed micro-credentials, would provide an opportunity to support changing workplaces by training new or existing employees in specific skills to better support innovation and improve productivity.
“Micro-credentials will aim to improve employability of workers by providing skills in demand from industry and increasing the labour productivity of enterprises through investment in technical, digital and soft skills,” Ms Fentiman said.
“In partnership with organisations such as TAFE Queensland, the Foundation for Young Australians, Central Queensland University and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, we will be delivering skills in digital literacy, cyber security and digital data.”
She said her Department was also working with National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) providers to develop micro-credentials for the NDIS workforce.
“As part of the pilot program, $2.3 million will be available through a funding round to consider market-led proposals from industry, as we want to see Queenslanders access training for more jobs in more industries,” Ms Fentiman said.
She said the pilot would be implemented in three streams over three years (2019-22).
“The skill outcomes targeted for these pilots will not be nationally recognised (i.e. vocational education and training) as these outcomes can be supported under existing VET investment programs,” Ms Fentiman said.
Applications for industry to apply for funding to deliver micro-credentials open on 23 March and close on 24 April.
