Mature Canberrans to benefit from new skills grants


Released 30/08/2018

This National Skills Week the ACT Government is focusing on supporting mature Canberrans to develop new skills or upskill for a new career with the launch of the Mature Workers Grants program.

These grants will fund programs that address barriers experienced by persons aged 45 years or older and Australian Apprentices aged 25 years or older, when seeking to retrain for a new job or career.

“The ACT Government recognises the immense capacity of mature workers to contribute to our community and our economy. Whatever we can do to encourage more organisations to employ mature workers is a good thing,” said Minister for Vocational Education and Skills Meegan Fitzharris.

“These grants, which were an ACT Labor election commitment, will provide mature workers with tailored support so they can upskill and fill key roles in workplaces across the Canberra region.

“Upskilling or retraining can assist mature workers to take advantage of new work opportunities emerging from growth areas in the local economy, and enhance their experience of being valued contributors to the community.”

“In the ACT, 21 percent of apprentices are aged 45 years or older. This is great, and we want to encourage more Canberrans to consider an apprenticeship no matter what age they are.

“The Mature Worker Grants Program also aims to identify and remove barriers impacting employers’ use of Canberra’s mature workforce to meet their skills needs.

“Upskilling mature workers can greatly benefit Canberra businesses through improved productivity and workforce retention,” Minister Fitzharris said.

The Mature Workers Grants Program is a new initiative providing up to $500,000 for additional services targeting mature workers and their existing or potential employers.

New services that are funded through the program will assist employers to navigate available support for recruiting and retaining skilled, experienced, mature workers to deliver the services, infrastructure and other major projects our city needs now and in the years ahead.

Grant funding will be available on a competitive basis to support highly targeted projects that contribute to achieving positive outcomes for the participation and productivity of mature workers.

Grants will be available for high quality projects supporting engagement between business leaders with experience in successfully employing mature workers and businesses who may not have considered mature workers as a means to address workforce shortages; and/or experience difficulties with retaining mature workers.

Mature workers may include:

  • persons aged 45 years or older; and
  • persons aged 25 years or older seeking to upskill or reskill via an apprenticeship or traineeship.

Applications will open tomorrow (31 August) for the Mature Workers Grants Program. More information about the Grants Program application process information session can be found at: https://www.cmtedd.act.gov.au/enterprise-canberra2/skillscanberra/2018-act-mature-workers-grants-program.

Applications will close on 1 October 2018.

- Statement ends -

Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Media Releases

Media Contacts

Name Phone Mobile Email

Claire Johnston

(02) 6205 0022

0452 597 459

clairev.johnston@act.gov.au


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