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Skills Tasmania

Building a Skilled Workforce – Existing Worker Fund

Program name:

Building a Skilled Workforce – Existing Worker Fund

Program open to:

Endorsed Registered Training Organisations

Program open date:

28 September 2023

Program close date:

THIS GRANT IS CURRENTLY CLOSED

Program purpose:

The objective of the Existing Worker Fund is to provide grants to Skills Tasmania endorsed registered training organisations to provide nationally recognised training in either skills sets or qualifications for existing workers.

Contact:

Grant Program Manager - (03) 6166 3403
or existingworkerfund@skills.tas.gov.au

THIS GRANT IS CURRENTLY CLOSED

The Building a Skilled Workforce – Existing Worker Fund provides grants to Skills Tasmania endorsed registered training organisations to provide nationally recognised training in either skills sets or qualifications for existing workers.

1About the Building a Skilled Workforce - Existing Worker Fund

The Building a Skilled Workforce - Existing Worker Fund (the Fund) subsidises training for existing workers to allow them to gain skills and knowledge to assist them to perform their jobs more effectively, efficiently, safely and confidently. New skills and knowledge for employees also supports future career planning and progression.

The Fund includes a requirement for participating employers to make a financial contribution to the cost of the training.

The Government’s investment under the Fund will focus on industry and employer identified areas of training need, to achieve outcomes for both industry and learners.

The Grant Program Guidelines contain more detail about eligible and ineligible activities.

An Information Session for the Building a Skilled Workforce Program was held on Monday 2 October 2023.

Click here to view a presentation from that event.

2Eligibility for the Building a Skilled Workforce – Existing Worker Fund

Applicant eligibility

To be eligible to apply applicants must meet each of the following eligibility criteria both at the time of applying, and for the duration of any subsequent funding agreement:

  • be a Skills Tasmania endorsed registered training organisation
  • have the requested qualification(s) and/or unit(s) of competency included on their scope of registration for delivery in Tasmania
  • be financially viable, and
  • have a current contract of public liability insurance for at least $20 million for each individual claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence.

TasTAFE is not eligible to apply as a lead applicant but can partner with other eligible applicants under the Fund. Organisations are also encouraged to contact TasTAFE directly to discuss options for TasTAFE to deliver training under its existing funding arrangements.

Learner eligibility

To be eligible for an Existing Worker Fund training place, learners must be employed by the employer that is co-contributing to the cost of training (including self-employed) at the time of application, and throughout the training period. The employment arrangement can be casual, part-time, or full-time.

Eligible learners:

  • can undertake training in more than one qualification, course or skill set per round
  • will be eligible for a training place regardless of their prior qualifications
  • will also need to meet any course specific essential entry requirements.

Existing workers may also be eligible for an apprenticeship or traineeship. If this is the case, RTOs should apply for funding under the Apprentice and Trainee Training Fund (ATTF) or contact the ATTF Grant Program Manager via attf@skills.tas.gov.au for assistance.

3How to make an application

Grant Program Guidelines

Applicants must read the Existing Worker Fund - Grant Program Guidelines prior to applying.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online using the SmartyGrants online grant management system prior to the closing time. The application process requires applicants to address selection criteria and attach supporting evidence.

The SmartyGrants application form can be found here.

Questions in relation to the use of the online application form or SmartyGrants may be answered via the online Help Guide or on the SmartyGrants’ Applicant FAQ page. Applicants can also email service@smartygrants.com.au or call 03 9320 6888. (Support Desk hours are 9 am – 5 pm (AEST), Monday through Friday).

Need more information?

Contact the Grant Program Manager on (03) 6166 3403 or by email at existingworkerfund@skills.tas.gov.au