An additional 70,000 people will receive fee-free training as part of a plan by the NSW Government to turbocharge the State’s skills-led recovery and help more people get the skills they need for the jobs they want.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the 2022-23 NSW Budget would invest $82.7 million over four years to continue accelerating the skills boom and helping to deliver the lowest statewide unemployment rate on record at 3.5 per cent.
“This investment will deliver tens of thousands of new apprentices, trainees and full qualifications to help people get skilled for in demand jobs such as builders, hairdressers, carpenters, chefs, electricians and in the critical early childhood, aged care and disability care sectors,” Mr Kean said.
“The NSW Government’s strong economic management means we can deliver fee-free training which is helping people boost their budget and ensure a brighter future for them and their family.”
This new investment in fee-free training is on top of 100,000 fee-free apprenticeships and 70,000 fee-free traineeships already being delivered by the NSW Government.
This NSW Government’s strong focus on skills led to a 77 per cent increase in the number of people commencing apprenticeships and traineeships in the 12 months to September 2021, according the most recent NCVER report. There was a 91 per cent increase in the number of women commencing apprenticeships and traineeships during the same period.
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the NSW Government is leading the nation in supporting people to get skilled for jobs to help grow the economy.
“This Budget cements the golden era for skills and training in NSW – there has never been a better time to get the skills you need to unlock a first job, a new job or a better job,” Mr Henskens said.
“As part of our skills-led recovery, we have seen an enormous surge in the number of people commencing apprenticeships and traineeships in NSW and this Budget will turbocharge the take-up of training right across the state.”
Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT Executive Officer Jason Sultana said the investment will deliver a pipeline of skilled workers for industry.
“This announcement shows the government is focused on addressing skills shortages for the long-term by removing the financial barriers for young people to move into trade apprenticeships,” Mr Sultana said.
For more details on training available, visit https://education.nsw.gov.au/skills-nsw.