Australian Government Directory of Services for Older People 2012-2013
Education and training
Table of contents
Apprenticeships
Australian Apprenticeships Access Program (Access Program)
The Access Program provides vulnerable job seekers experiencing barriers to skilled employment with nationally recognised pre-vocational training on an apprenticeship pathway, together with individualised job search and post-placement support to help them find and keep skilled employment in an Australian Apprenticeship. The program is delivered nationally by brokers and providers who work with industry to meet local labour market needs.In 2012–13 there are 9,500 program places available.
To be eligible, you must meet residency requirements, be a registered job seeker or be referred by a Youth Connections, Disability Employment Services or a Community Development Employment Project (CDEP) provider, and meet at least one criterion from a set of personal circumstances. These include being aged 45 to 64 at the commencement of the pre-vocational training course.
Referrals to the program are predominantly made by the Department of Human Services and Job Services Australia providers.
Phone: 13 38 73 (Australian Apprenticeships Centres Access Program)
Website: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations at www.deewr.gov.au/AccessProgram
Postal: Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education
GPO Box 9839
Canberra ACT 2601
Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program
The Australian Government is committed to increasing investment in training and ensuring this is targeted to address skill shortages across the Australian economy. To this end, the Government recognises that Australian Apprentices (apprentices and trainees) are one of Australia’s most valuable resources.A range of financial incentives is available for employers to offer employment-related opportunities that will encourage people to acquire and expand their working skills and, as a result, set themselves towards worthwhile careers. There is also a range of financial support available to Australian Apprentices to encourage and support them throughout their apprenticeship.
Under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program, employers of eligible Australian Apprentices at the Certificate III, IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma level may attract a commencement incentive of $1500 and a completion incentive of $2500. Australian Apprentices in nominated equity groups at the Certificate II level may attract a $1250 commencement incentive for their employer.
In addition to these incentives, the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program also provides a range of special and additional incentives to eligible employers including the Rural and Regional Skills Shortage incentive, Declared Drought Areas incentives, Australian School-based Apprenticeship incentives and Mature Aged Workers incentives.
Financial support available to Australian Apprentices includes the Tools For Your Trade payment initiative, Living Away From Home Allowance and Support for Adult Australian Apprentices.
Eligibility for payments under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program is assessed by Australian Apprenticeships Centres, which are contracted by the Australian Government to deliver Australian Apprenticeships Support Services. These services include providing information and assistance to employers, Australian Apprentices and other interested people; marketing and promoting Australian Apprenticeship; and administering the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program.
The Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program also aims to remove barriers for adult Australian Apprentices and encourage up-skilling by adult workers through an Australian Apprenticeship. Australian Apprenticeships Centres are expected to improve commencement, retention and completion rates for mature aged workers in Australian Apprenticeships.
Phone: 13 38 73 (Australian Apprenticeships Referral Line)
Website: Australian Apprenticeships at www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au
Experience+ Training
Experience+ Training was closed to new applicants on 30 June 2012. However, support for existing claimants will continue according to the current guidelines until 30 June 2014.Phone: 13 17 64 (Experience+ Hotline)
Website: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations at www.deewr.gov.au/experienceplus
Investing in Experience (Skills Recognition and Training)
The Investing in Experience (Skills Recognition & Training) (IIE–SRT) program invites employers to apply for grants of up to $4400 to assist their mature age workers (aged 50 and over) to attain qualifications that match their skills. Through a skills assessment, and gap training if needed, workers can attain a nationally recognised qualification at the Certificate III to Advanced Diploma level.This program commenced from 1 July 2012 and effectively replaces the Experience+ Training and More Help for Mature Age Workers programs. Administrative Guidelines and an Application Form will be available on the IIE–SRT website.
Website: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations at www.deewr.gov.au/IIESRT
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Productive Ageing through Community Education (PACE)
The Productive Ageing through Community Education (PACE) program will support adult education providers and community organisations to expand the delivery of educational and training courses tailored to the needs of senior Australians (aged 60 and above).The Government will provide $4.8 million over four years. Grants ranging from $5000 to $20,000 will be awarded annually; expanding educational opportunities for senior Australians with a focus on community engagement and skills development.
The first round of grant funding will be advertised in major newspapers in October 2012. Education and training opportunities will be available to senior Australians through community education and training providers during 2013.
Email: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program
The Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program (LLNP) provides up to 800 hours of free training to eligible job seekers to improve their English language skills or reading, writing and numeracy skills. LLNP can help eligible job seekers to improve their skills, job opportunities and confidence. To be eligible for LLNP, job seekers must be of working age (generally 15–64 years), be registered as a job seeker with the Department of Human Services not a full time student, and meet eligibility criteria regarding suitability for training and visa status. The Department of Human Services or an Employment Service Provider can check eligibility and refer eligible refer job seekers to their local LLNP training provider.
Phone: 13 28 50 (Centrelink services)
Websites: Department of Human Services at www.humanservices.gov.au/llnp
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations at www.deewr.gov.au
Mature Aged Worker Incentive for employers of Australian Apprentices
The Mature Aged Worker Incentive recognises that mature aged workers face particular barriers to employment and training.If you are aged 45 or over and commence an Australian Apprenticeship at the Certificate II–IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma level, your employer may be eligible for the Mature Aged Worker Incentive of $750 when you commence your Australian Apprenticeship, and a further $750 when you successfully complete it. The Mature Aged Worker Incentive is in addition to the standard commencement and completion incentive payments available under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program.
To be eligible for the Mature Aged Worker Incentive, immediately before beginning your Australian Apprenticeship, you must be:
- receiving a specified income support payment from the Department of Human Services or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
- a Stream Three or Stream Four client with Job Services Australia
- out of paid employment at any time during the previous three years
- made redundant within the previous 12 months.
Website: Australian Apprenticeships at www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au
Study Assist
Study Assist is an online resource providing information about what and where to study at university and private higher education providers, how much it will cost, payment options and what Australian Government assistance is available to students.Website: Study Assist at www.studyassist.gov.au
Support for Adult Australian Apprentices
The aim of the Support for Adult Australian Apprentices initiative is to remove barriers for adult Australian Apprentices (aged 25 or over) and encourage up-skilling by adult workers through an Australian Apprenticeship.The Support for Adult Australian Apprentices initiative provides financial support to Australian Apprentices or their employer during the first two years of an Australian Apprenticeship. To be eligible the Australian Apprentice must be aged 25 or over at the commencement of their Australian Apprenticeship on or after 1 January 2010, and be completing an Australian Apprenticeship at the Certificate III or IV level in a trade listed on the National Skills Needs List.
The Support for Adult Australian Apprentices payments are made to the employer or the Australian Apprentice, depending on the actual wage paid. Payments are made at $150 per week ($7800 per annum) in the first year and $100 per week ($5200 per annum) in the second year.
Phone: 13 38 73 (Australian Apprenticeships Referral Line)
Website: Australian Apprenticeships at www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au
Work Experience Activities
As part of Job Services Australia (JSA), job seekers have access to a range of Work Experience Activities.Work Experience Activities give job seekers access to a broad range of activities to assist them to overcome barriers, acquire skills and/or improve their employment prospects. A flexible range of activity options caters to a range of personal circumstances. Work experience, supplemented by targeted training, is one of the most effective pathways to employment.
Activity options available under Work Experience include:
- part-time study
- part-time or casual paid employment
- unpaid Work Experience Placement activities
- voluntary work activities in the community sector
- Work for the Dole activities (including Full-time Work for the Dole activities)
- Green Corps activities
- unpaid or paid work in a social enterprise
- Drought Force activities
- Defence Force Reserves
- employment or training programs administered by the Australian Government, or by a state or territory government
- programs or services which address non-vocational barriers.
Job seekers undertaking Work for the Dole, Green Corps, Community Development Employment Projects and Drought Force activities may receive an additional supplement of $20.80 per fortnight to cover out-of-pocket expenses.
Phone: 13 62 68 (Employment Services Information Line)
Website: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations at www.deewr.gov.au