National Workforce Development Fund
Tourism Sector Funding
In announcing priorities for the allocation of $50m funding under the national workforce fund, I am pleased to advise the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations has allocated $5m to support the tourism industry.
Through competitive application, this fund supports tourism related businesses address structural adjustment and reform by providing access to nationally accredited training to improve productivity and business performance.
Local, regional, state and national initiatives are encouraged to access this national workforce fund to address training and workforce needs.
Individual businesses can apply directly to Service Skills Australia or could apply under an umbrella project as part of a business association, regional tourism association, etc.
Service Skills Australia’s approach to proposals includes the following:
•What is the identified business / enterprise / sector / region need?
•How will the qualification address the identified need?
•How will the business measure the effectiveness / impact in the business?
Co-contribution:
An employer contribution to training will be required as follows:
- Small enterprise (<100 persons engaged): 33% of the agreed cost of training;
- Medium (100-199): 50% • Large (200+): 67%.
Funding is available for national qualifications from Certificate 3 to Advanced Diploma, and for ‘skill sets’ (ie: those skills sets currently identified in training packages).
Notional Allocation:
Priority 1 – $15 million to support for the resources sector
A notional allocation will be provided to support resources sector projects, with a view to supporting a broad range of enterprises, not just those in mining. In this context, $10 million will be notionally allocated to SkillsDMC. The residual $5 million will be pooled and made available to other ISCs to provide support to industries or enterprises impacted by the pressures in the resources sector.
Priority 2 – $15 million to address structural adjustment and reform
A notional allocation will be provided to support projects addressing structural adjustment and reform in affected enterprises and regions, with a focus on manufacturing and tourism. In this context, Manufacturing Services Australia (MSA) and Service Skills Australia (SSA) will each be notionally allocated $5 million. The residual $5 million will be pooled and made available to other ISCs with suitable projects.
Priority 3 – support for up-skilling and skills deepening
A total of $20 million will be made available for allocation against this priority to support up-skilling and skills deepening projects in enterprises with emerging workforce development needs. Funding under this priority will be made available to all ISCs providing $1.7 million per ISC.
Successful applications will need to ensure training has commenced by 30 March 2012.
Enquires can be directed to Bernard Moore at (E) bmoore@serviceskills.com.au; (M) 0433 244 638, (T) 02 8243 1200 or Service Skills Australia -National Fund
Service Skills Australia is one of eleven national industry skills councils, operating as a not-for-profit, independent organisation supporting skills development across three key industry sectors: Tourism and Hospitality; Retail, Wholesale and Personal Services; and Sport and Recreation industries.
