The Federal Government has announced a $262 million injection to remove basic skilsl barriers that are currently ‘locking thousands of Australians out of the workforce’ .

 

The key components of the package are:

  • $143 million to provide 30,000 additional commencements for job seekers in the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program;
  • $80 million for additional vocational education and training places at Certificate II level or above for single parents and teenage parents;
  • $20 million to expand the Workplace English Language and Literacy program to support businesses who want to boost the core skills of their workers; and
  • $20 million to maintain the number of places in the Australian Apprenticeships Access Program to ensure apprentices have the basic skills they need.

 

Minister for Skills and Jobs, Senator Chris Evans, said that basic training is paramount to building the country’s workforce.

 

“Literacy skills are the fundamental building block which people need if they are to enter the workforce, secure long term work and build a career.’’ Mr Evans said.