JobTrainer Skills Package for economic recovery and growth

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced $1 billion to support over 340,000 new training places across the country. The fund will give the trainees access to new skills by upskilling and retraining them for sectors with increased job opportunities.

Courses will be free or low cost and will help school leavers and jobseekers access pre-apprenticeships and full qualifications creating a pathway to growth sectors. 

The Federal Government has committed $500 million in 2020-21 for the fund, contingent on a matched contribution from states and territories. 

The JobTrainer Fund has been proposed to operate from September 2020 to 30 June 2021. 

The JobTrainer Fund is expected to support around 340,700 additional training places. The exact number will depend on the type of training undertaken and in negotiation with states and territories. 

Funding will be available for nationally accredited qualifications and skillsets in sectors that are identified as 'genuine need'. These areas are based on a list agreed by the National Skills Commission. 

Both short courses and full qualifications will be covered by the fund. 

The Supporting Apprentices and Trainees measure provides a wage subsidy to help employers keep their apprentices and trainees in work. The initial program was announced in March 2020 to help continue development of skilled labour during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the JobTrainer announcement by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, a further $1.5 billion will be made available to expand and extend the subsidy.

The wage subsidy is not available to apprentices and trainees who are receiving JobKeeper payments during the same period. However, where a business stops receiving JobKeeper, they will then be eligible to apply for the subsidy if they had an apprentice or trainee engaged on 1 July 2020.