VET News

Partnership Grants Program Gives Australians a Better Chance of Securing Work

On 22nd December 2020, successful applicants were announced to receive funding through Round One of the National Careers Institute’s Partnership Grants program.  Thirteen successful projects will represent a total value of $5.2 million.  Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said it will ensure Australians have a better chance of securing work.

“We want to make sure Australians get the best possible advice to find the job of their dreams,” Minister Cash said. “Projects will use virtual reality technology to provide simulated work environments, provide additional careers support and improve the visibility of available careers in everyday industries.”

The National Australian Apprenticeships Association (NAAA), one of the successful applicants of Round One of the grant program, recently announced the PRIME project.  The NCIP Grant will be used to develop a range of tools that can assist school students when deciding to take an apprenticeship or traineeship pathway.  

“The PRIME project takes the novel approach of building the tools and evidence base to answer key career guidance questions, both early on when the student is discovering their potential options and later when they are making their decision about what to do next,” said Ben Bardon, CEO of NAAA. “It takes the tools used in the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) Gateway service, refines and deploys them in the school context.

Applications for Round Two of the grant are expected to open in mid-2021.  You can register for updates here.

Additional good news for school leavers is that the Australian Government is placing a strong commitment on options that enable individuals to pursue their passions whether that be to undertake a degree, learn a trade, study a vocational qualification, upskill with a micro-credential, start their own business or move directly into the workplace.  To this end, the National Careers Institute has a School Leavers Information Kit and School Leavers Information Service to help inform young Australians about their opportunities.

To access further information and the kit and the NCI Service and Kit for School Leavers, click on the links below:

• National Careers Institute School Leavers Information Kit
• National Careers Institute School Leavers Information Service
• Your Career website
• Ministers' Media Centre Release: Boost to National Careers Institute to improve career information
• National Australian Apprenticeship Association Press Release
• Ministers' Media Centre Release: Support for school leavers

Date posted Jan 14, 2021