ALA

THE HON JULIA GILLARD MP
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Minister for Education
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
Minister for Social Inclusion
MEDIA RELEASE

10 October 2008
Productivity Places Skilling Australians for the Future
The Rudd Government’s $1.9 billion Skilling Australia for the Future is delivering the skills job seekers and industry needs with thousands of Australians having received training in skill shortage areas.
In just over six months, more than 53,000 job seekers have enrolled in the program, with 43,200 in training and over 11 000 having completed training.
Of the 5 400 participants who have completed training that were referred by employment service providers, 814 have gained a placement – 810 into jobs and four into further education. This is an outstanding result.
In response to these outstanding results, the Government approved an additional 15 000 Productivity Places for 2008-09. These extra places take the Rudd Government’s commitment to 645,000 training places.
The Australian Government is also in discussions with the States and Territories on the rollout of training from 2009. A number of pilot programs are already being delivered with South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia currently offering places.
The roll out of these places and the next phase of the program is also being informed by the feedback the Government received from its Skilling Australia for the Future discussion paper released in April 2008. More than 100 submissions were received in response to the discussion paper.
A report on this feedback has been released today and provides further opportunities for individuals, employers and organisations to engage with issues related to the training reforms.
Submissions were received from a diverse group of organisations and individuals, including employers, industry associations, training providers, employment service providers and peak bodies concerned with social inclusion and welfare.
The submissions to the discussion paper highlighted the importance of the Government’s commitment to skilling the Australian workforce and made useful recommendations for the future phases of the Productivity Places Program.
For more information about the Productivity Places Program and feedback on the discussion paper visit: www.productivityplaces.deewr.gov.au
Minister’s Press Secretary: Kimberley Gardiner 0434 159 842
Media Contact: media@deewr.gov.au
Non-media queries: 1300 363 079