The Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate made use of last week’s National Skills Week to announce the launch of its Mature Workers Grants program.
The program is focused on supporting older, and some young, Canberrans develop new skills or upskill for a new career.
It is aimed at people aged 45 years or older and apprentices 25 or older.
Launching the program, the Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Meegan Fitzharris said it would provide mature workers with tailored support so they could upskill and fill key roles in workplaces across the Canberra region.
“Upskilling or retraining can assist mature workers to take advantage of new work opportunities emerging from growth areas in the local economy, and enhance their experience of being valued contributors to the community,” Ms Fitzharris said.
“In the ACT, 21 per cent of apprentices are aged 45 years or older. This is great, and we want to encourage more Canberrans to consider an apprenticeship no matter what age they are.”
She said the program also aimed to identify and remove barriers affecting employers’ use of Canberra’s mature workforce to meet their skills needs.
“Upskilling mature workers can greatly benefit Canberra businesses through improved productivity and workforce retention,” Ms Fitzharris said.
“New services that are funded through the program will assist employers to navigate available support for recruiting and retaining skilled, experienced, mature workers to deliver the services, infrastructure and other major projects our city needs now and in the years ahead.”
She said applications for the programs grants would close on 1 October.
Further information and details on how to apply for a grant can be accessed at this PS News link.
