The Tasmanian Government has officially joined the recently established National Skills Agreement (NSA), unlocking access to nearly $285 million in Commonwealth funding to support initiatives in the region.
The five-year NSA, effective from January 2024, aligns with principles agreed upon by the National Cabinet, emphasising national collaboration and strategic investments in Tasmania’s vocational education and training (VET) sector.
Minister for Skills, Training, and Workforce Growth Felix Ellis expressed the shared commitment to high-quality, responsive, and accessible VET.
According to Minister Ellis, the agreement outlines how governments will collaborate to address workforce challenges, enhance productivity, and empower Australians with the necessary skills for advancement.
“We’ve secured a good deal for Tasmania that builds on our significant investment of $660 million already committed to skills and workforce growth in the Tasmanian budget,” Ellis noted.
He continued, “The new model for VET funding means that Tasmania can deliver on national priorities like clean energy, the care sector and digital skills and take advantage of emerging industries and opportunities for the State.”
Minister Ellis emphasised that the agreement complements ongoing efforts in the Tasmanian VET system, providing flexibility to deliver training aligned with the evolving needs of critical industries.
Federal Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor underscored the collaborative success, citing the Fee-Free TAFE and VET program’s achievements.
The Commonwealth is committing to an additional 300,000 places nationwide, including 4600 places earmarked for Tasmania, representing an $8.9 million investment in the state’s skills and training.
Minister Ellis underscored that the focus will be on literacy, numeracy, and digital skills to ensure individuals are job-ready and can progress in their skills journey toward fulfilling careers.
“It helps us create pathways to meet current and emerging skills shortages of our workforce and for all VET participants to come together to achieve better outcomes,” the minister stated.
“The new agreement empowers TasTAFE alongside private training providers to maximise the role they play in delivering excellence and accessibility in our VET system,” he added.
For detailed insights, the National Skills Agreement can be accessed by clicking this link.
