PHOTO: Emma Hillier

Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney today launched the fund at Melbourne-based John Holland Group which is one of Australia’s leading engineering and contracting service providers.

The fund is a key feature of the Labor Government’s new approach to training Skills First and is a $40 million initiative to support industry and employers address their rapidly evolving workplace skills development needs.

Through the fund, grants of up to $5 million will be provided to see training providers working with businesses to develop innovative new training programs and approaches.

Successful initiatives will have a focus on increasing productivity in the workplace and ensuring existing workers and students looking to enter the workforce have the skills they need to take up jobs in new and emerging industries.

The initiative will also support job growth and innovation in the Labor Government’s six priority industry sectors including transport, new energy and medical technologies.

Seed funding of up to $50,000 is also available to help applicants develop, scope and prepare partnerships and projects.

For further information on WTIF, including applying for seed funding, go to www.skillsfirst.vic.gov.au