A suite of measures has been unveiled today in a $13.7 million immediate response to address South Australia’s skills crisis and deliver on our election commitments, following industry engagement.

Employers can apply for grants as part of an immediate response designed to drive new and innovative solutions to skills shortages in partnership with industries, sectors and regions.

The skills sector is critical to the future economy of the state, particularly in the defence areas following the South Australian Government’s recent AUKUS announcement.

More than 190,000 people with vocational qualifications will be needed by 2032, yet current completion rates for VET qualifications sit below 50 per cent nationally.

That’s why this multi-million package now is so vital, as it will include grants designed to address critical shortages:

• Skill Shortage solutions in priority areas including defence, commercial cookery, brick and block, concreting and saw technology; including specific grants to get more women into trades. This will see $8.9 million in grants made available, delivering on our election commitment.
• New Skills Centre hubs in regional South Australia to connect learners, industry, training providers and provide services to get learners into training and into jobs. A $2 million investment will be provided.
• Learner Support Grants for organisations, training providers, industry and unions to develop new ways of providing wellbeing and learning supports so more students complete their studies and get a job. These grants will target learners including those who are neurodiverse, face mental health challenges, have a disability or experience barriers due to gender or to sexual, cultural or gender identity. This will see a total commitment of an extra $2.3 million invested, in addition to existing learner support funding.
• Better information by investing in a new, one-stop-shop website that will give South Australians easy access to where current and future skills needs are in different regions, and what training can be undertaken to secure a career in these industries.