Joint media release

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan has welcomed the New South Wales Government signing up to the Commonwealth’s $500 million JobTrainer initiative.

Yesterday Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash and NSW Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee launched the NSW JobTrainer Agreement.

“Locals looking to re-skill and our youth seeking career paths in areas of future jobs growth are the winners from this announcement,” Mr Conaghan said.

“In July our Government announced the $500 million JobTrainer skills program in order to help people looking for work and help our nation recover from the economic impact from COVID-19.

“It’s great the NSW Government is investing $159.3 million, matching our Government’s commitment, as there will be better support for jobseekers as a result.”

Minister Cash said she estimated the JobTrainer program would fund up to 340,700 additional free or low-fee training places to help Australians upskill and reskill in areas of demand.

“The Morrison Government is committed to strengthening the VET system to get Australians into work,” Minister Cash said. “We are investing $6.5 billion in VET in 2020-21 to provide valuable opportunities and skills to Australians and help drive the nation’s prosperity in the years to come. “This includes additional funding under the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy, which has provided more than $500 million to employers across Australia since March this year.” For more information about the JobTrainer Fund visit the Department of Education, Skills and Employment website here.

ENDS

Media contact:

Mrs Cash – Brittany Higgins 0449 171 294

Mr Conaghan – Liz Spry 0418 928 744