Advice for retraining & upskilling in 2020

“Australia doesn’t have a shortage of people to do the work companies require, we have a skill shortage.”  

What are the options?

As we all should be aware during times of adversity, there is no time like the present to do some good for others and yourself, for example, in a recent ABC press release; The Government wants you to switch from Netflix to an online short course during coronavirus isolation. Federal Education Minister, Dan Tehan wants people to stop bingeing on Netflix and instead reskill through new online courses, which will run from May until December 2020 and be offered by Australia’s world class, private registered training organisations (RTO’s), TAFE and Universities nationwide. Source ABC news 14/04/2020.  

Key points of the press release are:

• Courses will target priority areas where workers are needed and will be online only, such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), Health and Allied Health to name a few.
• Four units of study (Micro-Credentials or skill sets) will be subsidised, as long as they are completed by December 1, 2020, so now is the time to get to work and commence re-shaping your career during these difficult, and unprecedented times so you will be ready post CV-19 environment.
• Courses will range from diplomas to gradate certificates  

Field of education           Fee

Teaching $1,250 Nursing   $1,250 Psychology  $1,250 English     $1,250 Mathematics $1,250 Foreign Languages $1,250 Agriculture  $1,250 Allied Health $2,500 Other Health                      $2,500 Information Technology $2,500 Architecture and Building $2,500 Science   $2,500 Engineering $2,500 Medical Science $2,500 Environmental Studies   $2,500

These areas of study will be fully supported by the Federal Government, however, you have options to upskill in your current career, for example, if you are a Retail Manager and wish to study a Diploma of Leadership and Management, search for a TAFE or private RTO (e.g. Outsource Institute, The Australian Retail College) and ask them what you can do and how they can assist you achieve the qualification or skill set i.e.. Ask them, do they offer recognition of prior learning (RPL), will they allow you to pay your tuition fees over a 12 month period or per unit, how much online support do they offer while you are studying at home. If you are a Boilermaker/Welder, now would be a good time to study welding supervision. There are many options to study now and ensure you are ready for the return to normal work and possibly a new career.

What is the potential here?

The greatest asset a person can have in 2020 and beyond is a nationally recognised qualification or skill set. More and more demands are being placed on companies/employers to comply with, e.g.; tax legislation, industrial relations and human resource management, quality management and auditing, work health and safety (WHS), environmental management, ethical marketing practises, and the list goes on and on.
 
Australia doesn’t have a shortage of people to do the work companies require, we have a skill shortage. Companies are seeking people to help them navigate the ever changing and complex world of business and require skilled people to do so, in many cases the qualifications are mandatory to the roles held e.g. WHS, Accounting.  

At this moment in time, due to the Covid-19 lockdown there is more time to study than ever before- seize the opportunity and get skilled!  

How is this, or could this be, incentivised?

In Queensland, there three government funding options:

1. USER CHOICE PROGRAM – FUNDED BY THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT.

The User Choice program provides public funding for the delivery of accredited, entry level to advanced trade training to apprentices and trainees.  

The program works in conjunction with the Commonwealth Australian Apprenticeships System, under which apprentices and trainees (also known in some jurisdictions as “Australian Apprentices”) enter into legally binding training contracts with their employers and receive structured training to achieve a nationally recognised qualification.

The Queensland User Choice program enables apprentices, trainees, and their employers to select a preferred Registered Training Organisation (RTO) from a list of pre-qualified Suppliers for the delivery of accredited training to meet their specific needs.  

For detailed information in regards to what is funded and eligibility under this program, please refer to this website Training Queensland – What is funded or contact 1300 136 904  

2. CERTIFICATE 3 GUARENTEE – FUNDED BY THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT

The Certificate 3 Guarantee provides subsidies to assist Queenslanders obtain their first post-school Certificate level III qualification.  

A Certificate III is the first level of post-school qualification shown to have a significant impact on a person’s employment and earnings. It is also the level of qualification usually required to get a job in industries such as; aged care, child care, hospitality and small business.  

For detailed information in regards to what is funded and eligibility under this program, please refer to this website Training Queensland – Students or contact 1300 136 904

3.HIGHER LEVEL SKILLS PROGRAM – FUNDED BY THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT

The Higher Level Skills program provides a government subsidy to support eligible individuals to access subsidised training in selected certificate IV or above qualifications, and priority skill set.  

The aim is to assist individuals to gain the higher level skills required to secure employment or career advancement in priority industries or to transition to university to continue their studies. Employers may also be able to access training to address workforce development needs.  

For more information on the subsidised qualifications and skill sets available through Outsource Institute enquire at outsourceinstitute.com.au or call us on 1300 136 904.   

Link to Outsource Institute's Company Profile