Delivering the best training equipment and facilities for South Australians
A new skills fund to deliver state-of-the-art training facilities and industry relevant equipment will form part of the 2023-24 State Budget.
The $9 million investment will enable TAFE SA, not-for-profit and industry-based training providers to invest in new infrastructure, equipment and technology to support the delivery of training in areas of skill shortage and demand.
The announcement was made at the Motor Trades Association’s new Electric Vehicle Training Centre in Royal Park, where upgraded facilities and new equipment will deliver new courses in zero and low emission vehicle training – meeting the needs of industry while tackling climate change.
Industries of focus will be determined based on South Australia’s skills needs, and will include areas such as trades, renewable energy, early childhood education and care, health and aged care, defence and primary industries.
Funding will be provided through a competitive grant process – with the first round of $3 million to be available early next financial year.
This initiative builds on the significant work, already funded, of the South Australian Government to tackle skills shortages and improve completion rates in vocational training – including five brand new technical colleges, increased funding to rebuild TAFE SA and restore courses in early childhood education and aged care, a $13.7 million immediate response to address South Australia’s skills crisis, and national work led by South Australia to improve completion rates.
The additional funding also follows the significant investment in 12,500 Fee-Free TAFE and vocational education places in South Australia, which has already seen more than 8,000 South Australian students enrolled at TAFE SA in areas of skills shortage.