A new skills fund to deliver state-of-the-art training facilities and industry relevant equipment will form part of the 2023-24 State Budget.

The $9 million investment will enable TAFE SA, not-for-profit and industry-based training providers to invest in new infrastructure, equipment and technology to support the delivery of training in areas of skill shortage and demand.

The announcement was made at the Motor Trades Association’s new Electric Vehicle Training Centre in Royal Park, where upgraded facilities and new equipment will deliver new courses in zero and low emission vehicle training – meeting the needs of industry while tackling climate change.

Industries of focus will be determined based on South Australia’s skills needs, and will include areas such as trades, renewable energy, early childhood education and care, health and aged care, defence and primary industries.

Funding will be provided through a competitive grant process – with the first round of $3 million to be available early next financial year.

This initiative builds on the significant work, already funded, of the Malinauskas Labor Government to tackle skills shortages and improve completion rates in vocational training – including five brand new technical colleges, increased funding to rebuild TAFE SA and restore courses in early childhood education and aged care, a $13.7 million immediate response to address South Australia’s skills crisis, and national work led by South Australia to improve completion rates.

The additional funding also follows the significant investment in 12,500 Fee-Free TAFE and vocational education places in South Australia, which has already seen more than 8,000 South Australian students enrolled at TAFE SA in areas of skills shortage.

Quotes

Attributable to Peter Malinauskas

The Malinauskas Labor Government took an ambitious plan to tackle skills shortages and rebuild TAFE SA to the election – and today we take another step to deliver that.

Investment in skills and training initiatives are vital to ensure we are growing our state economically and building on the opportunities ahead.

We need to be planning for the future now so that we are addressing skills shortages with a high-quality trained workforce that has the appropriate skills to deliver the huge projects we will be undertaking in South Australia, including AUKUS and our Hydrogen Jobs Plan.

Quotes attributable to Stephen Mullighan

It’s imperative we support the skills and training industry in South Australia so that we are building on the foundations to train the skilled workers we need for the future.

This funding will support TAFE SA, not-for-profit and industry-based training providers such as the Motor Trades Association to deliver high quality training using state of the art equipment and technology.

Quotes attributable to Blair Boyer

Our government has listened to the feedback from industry about how we can better support outcomes for those undertaking training with support for new equipment and better facilities.

This funding will ensure that more South Australians get the skills they need for the job they want.

The Malinauskas Labor Government is leaving no stone unturned in tackling the skills crisis – and this investment is an important part of that.

Quotes attributable to Motor Trade Association SA/NT CEO Darrell Jacobs

This will help training providers to double down on their investments and best prepare students for the future.

It is a welcome announcement to assist us in training our workforce and increase apprenticeship opportunities.