The Federal and South Australian governments are investing up to $2.29 billion in the state’s local skills training as part of the recently ratified landmark National Skills Agreement.
As part of the partnership between the two governments, the state will invest more than $1.4 billion in skills, matched by $950 million from the Commonwealth.
The funding is expected to establish approximately 150,000 new training places over the life of the agreement, which is 50,000 more than would otherwise be delivered.
The key industry sectors to benefit from the new training facilities include mining and engineering, building and construction, health and community services, electrotechnology, early childhood education, and tourism and hospitality.
The funding will help create the workforce that will serve the key priority projects of the state, including AUKUS, the construction of more schools, and hydrogen.
The investment also includes a $90 million annual boost for TAFE SA to fund extra training places, capital works upgrades, and extra student support services.
Furthermore, the National Skills Agreement will enable the state to grow its vocational education and training workforce and offer free foundation skills training for those who need to access courses like English as an Additional Language to get on a path to work.
The National Skills Agreement has also committed $37 million to support the state’s work in helping students finish their studies through mentoring and wellbeing support.
The landmark agreement comes on top of the 15,000 additional TAFE places for 2024 to 2026, which was recently announced by the Federal and SA governments.
“South Australia has worked extensively with the Commonwealth in ensuring the National Skills Agreement meets the needs of our state now and well into the future,” said Minister for Education, Training and Skills Blair Boyer. “A $2 billion investment in skills is the largest increase we have ever seen in South Australia and its critical we are creating the foundations now for the pathways of the future.”
