The $10 million Skills Solutions Partnerships Program, unveiled by the Minister for Jobs and Industry, Natalie Hutchins, during the 2023 Victorian Manufacturing Showcase, aims to provide support to key sectors in Victoria.
Under this initiative, government, industry, TAFEs and universities will co-design and pilot new training courses in manufacturing, digital, construction, clean economy, healthcare and social services – equipping critical industries with the talent they need to grow and succeed.
Additionally, the Victorian Government is allocating $63.8 million to the Digital Jobs program and $4.5 million to the Digital Jobs for Manufacturing initiative. These programs focus on training individuals in Victoria to address digital skills shortages.
Natalie Hutchins emphasised the strength of Victoria’s economy, citing the highest participation rate and the largest number of employed Victorians in a decade. She highlighted the urgency in addressing critical skills shortages in rapidly growing industries, expressing confidence that the Skills Solutions Partnerships Program would connect these industries with local, ready-to-work students to bridge the gaps hindering their progress.
The government’s commitment to supporting Victorian students in acquiring skills for high-demand industries is evident through initiatives like the Skills First and the Free TAFE program. Since its inception in 2019, these programs have removed training barriers for over 153,000 students, resulting in savings exceeding $394 million.
The overall program aligns with the government’s broader strategy to foster skilled job growth and position Victoria as Australia’s manufacturing hub. This includes initiatives like the $20 million Manufacturing and Industry Sovereignty Fund, the Made in Victoria – Manufacturing Growth Program, and the Energy Technologies Manufacturing Program.
Minister for Skills and TAFE, Gayle Tierney, emphasised the delivery of high-quality, relevant training to meet Victoria’s future skills demands. She anticipates that the Skills Solutions Partnerships Program will enable more Victorians to acquire the skills necessary for success in evolving industries.To learn more about the Skills Solutions Partnerships Program visit business.vic.gov.au/ssp.
