Significant funding opportunities provided by Australian and NSW Governments to assist with increasing the skill level of the working age population are currently available for businesses and individuals.

TAFE Illawarra can assist you to take advantage of a range of government-funded incentive programs to develop the skills of your workforce.

Informed staff can assist you to identify and access potential funding such as:

Strategic Skills Program (SSP)

The Strategic Skills Program responds to industry-identified skill shortages through funding of part-qualification training that addresses key NSW (state and regional) skill development priorities relevant to your industry.

Apprenticeship and traineeship incentives

Employers who hire mature age workers (over 45 years old) in skill shortage areas may attract a special Mature Age Worker Commencement Incentive of $750 and a Completion Incentive of $750.

Employers in regional and rural Australia who employ an apprentice in an eligible national skills needs area may be eligible for a special commencement incentive of $1000.

Employers may be eligible for a range of incentive payments based on a range of criteria listed in the Summary of the Australian Government Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program which includes Traineeships.

Employers may be eligible to receive a subsidy of $104 per week plus up to $5000 for workplace modification under the Disabled Australian Apprenticeship Wage Support program.

For further information about these incentives go to Australian Apprenticeships Centre.

Investing in Experience

Download the Brochure

Employers may be eligible for grants of up to $4,400 per mature worker

Funding opportunity applies to you if you:

• Are a small business owner, including sole traders, operating in Australia who are themselves mature (50+)
• Employ mature age workers (50+) under an Award or Certified Agreement
• Are a State and Territory Government, the organisations they establish and local governing bodies that meet the eligibility criteria.

This funding is for employers who need to recognise employee’s existing skills while building additional skills to improve your business outcomes

Mature age employees (50+) with experience but no formal qualifications may be able to have their skills assessed for their existing competencies and training provided for any gaps to help get their skills formally recognised. This new program provides up to $4,400 (GST inc) per eligible person for skills assessments and gap training (if needed), leading to a nationally recognised qualification.

Visit the website to find out more: Investing in Experience (Skills Recognition & Training) Program Guidelines

Let us help you access valuable funding to assist your business by contacting us on 4229 0483 or iitbc@det.nsw.edu.au

Rural and regional support

The Australian Government is working to ensure better access to training in rural and regional areas to support local economies through pilot funding under the National Skills Shortages Strategy.
Each pilot aims to work with regional stakeholders such as industry, education providers and the broader community to:

• Profile existing and potential industries in a region
• Identify common factors and solutions to skills issues
• Engage relevant national, state and local industry and training bodies
• Identify skills and training needs
• Pilot practical strategies that could be used in other regions

Workplace English Language and Literacy training (WELL Program)

To improve communication within your workforce, WELL Program funding is available for job-related workplace language and literacy training. If your staff could benefit from English language, literacy and numeracy training then the WELL Program may be exactly what you need.
TAFE Illawarra can assist you to apply for WELL funding and can deliver the training in your workplace, at one of our campuses or by a combination of the two. For more information download a copy of this brochure.

Diversifying your workforce

By considering a wider range of job seekers and traditional sources of recruitment, TAFE NSW can help you take advantage of incentives including:

Support to employ Indigenous Australians covering:

• Community Development Program - if you employ Indigenous Australians you may be eligible for Wage Assistance.
• Corporate Leaders for Indigenous Employment Project - you may benefit from a flexible package of funding by using elements of the Australian Government's Indigenous Employment Program.

Structured Training and Employment Project

You may receive incentives ranging from $4000 to $7700 depending upon terms of employment.

Wage Assist

A wage subsidy program which provides ongoing, full-time work opportunities for very long-term unemployed job seekers.

Work experience

Assists you to determine how a potential employee may operate in your working environment before incurring costs.

Employing people with a disability

You can receive funding and subsidies under the Australian Government's Supported Wage System (SWS) allowing you to pay a wage that corresponds to the employee's rate of productivity with the Government making further contributions to their income.

Contact a Consultant in your area:

Or email us at iitbc@tafensw.edu.au