» Skills for Growth

 

Securing Jobs for the Future & Skills for Growth

About the Program

Skills for Growth is a Victorian higher education initiative designed to help Victorian businesses work with training specialists at no cost to help review employee skills gaps, up skill employees to the latest relevant qualifications and ultimately plan for a better business future.

What are the benefits?

By taking part in the Program your business will:

  1. Identify its strategic priorities and direction
  2. Assess the current workforce skill and training needs of your employees
  3. Provide a clear and tailored training plan for your staff
  4. Place employees in training (which may be subsidised by the Government)

How does it work?

The program works as follows:

  • If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will need to submit an online registration form https://services.business.vic.gov.au/vbmk/foaqualifier.do
  • Once registered Education Institute will assign you a Training Specialist who will contact you to arrange an onsite visit (such as Drake)
  • Education Institute and the Specialist will identify the strategic direction of your organisation and assess the training and skill needs for your employees.
  • The Workforce Planning & Training Specialist will complete a Workforce Training Plan and Action Plan to identify business and individual skill needs. Training solutions are documented including referrals to relevant training programs and learning opportunities
  • Education Institute and the Training Specialists will facilitate the placement of staff into accredited training

 

 

Education Institute – Securing Jobs for the Future & Skills for Growth Eligibility

Your organisation will need to meet the following criteria in order to be eligible:

  1. Employ between one and 199 employees
  2. Your business will need to be Victorian-based
  3. You will need to have been in operation for at least 12 months
  4. You will need to be financially viable (a business that has an effective trading history and one that anticipates being able to meet its debts as and when they fall due)

Cost

Your business can take part in the Program at no cost.

The cost of the accredited training will be the responsibility of the business; however in some cases your staff may be eligible for the Victorian Training Guarantee which entitles Victorians to a subsidised place in a recognised vocational training course.

Eligibility for the subsidised training is determined by factors such as age, prior educational history, citizenship and residency status. For more information on eligibility go to:

http://www.skills.vic.gov.au/get_training/who_is_eligible

Getting Funded

The Victorian Government's Training Guarantee, a first in Australia, means that the government will cover most of the cost of a training place if you are eligible. This funding will be available whether you enrol independently or as part of your employer’s development program. The funds will be directly paid to Education Institute. You can access this entitlement more than once, so long as you remain eligible.

New eligibility requirements are being phased in from 1 July 2009, starting with vocational education and training courses at Diploma level and above. If you are participating in the special employee referral program Skills for Growth the new eligibility requirements apply to courses at all levels.

Am I eligible for government funded training?

Individual eligibility criteria, for Certificate III and above

 

 

You can also work out your likely eligibility by following these steps.

Step 1: What is your citizenship/residency status?

From 1 July 2009, to be eligible you must be either:

  1. An Australian citizen
  2. An Australian Permanent Resident (holder of a permanent visa)
  3. A holder of a Special Category Visa (sub-class 444, New Zealand citizen)
  4. An East Timorese asylum seeker, or
  5. A holder of a Temporary Protection Visa.

Step 2: What course are you seeking entry to?

Certificates I-IV and other accredited courses below Diploma level

The Victorian Training Guarantee is being phased in. Funded places at these levels underSecuring Jobs for Your Future - Skills for Victoriaare not available until 2011, except through the special small business employee referral program,Skills for Growth.

However, funded training opportunities continue to be available in a wide range of courses, under the standard funding arrangements. There are limits to the number of places available.

In 2009, unless you are participating through Skills for Growth, if you meet the citizenship/residency requirements you are eligible for a government funded place in courses below Diploma level, subject to availability

Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Vocational Graduate Certificates and Vocational Graduate Diplomas

The Victorian Training Guarantee now applies to these courses, along with new eligibility requirements.

To be eligible for a government funded place in courses at these levels you must either be:

  1. Under the age of 20 years on 1 January in the year you want to commence your course; OR
  2. Seeking enrolment in a course accredited at a higher level than the highest qualification you already hold.

For further information please contact Education Institute, or visit the following website:

http://www.business.vic.gov.au/BUSVIC/STANDARD.HTML/PC_63495.html