Funding opportunities for maritime sector employers to support workforce skills development

If you’re an employer in the maritime sector there are federal and state funding schemes available that may help with professional development and support opportunities for upskilling employees.

Each of the opportunities listed below have conditions applicants need to comply with. Limits on the number of people who can apply, time limits and other restrictions may also apply.

Queensland

·         Queensland TAFE offers two free micro credentials for supervisors, Mentoring an apprentice or trainee and Safe workplaces for supervisors of apprentices and trainees.[1] These programs are a joint initiative of the Australian and Queensland Governments to assist supervisors to support apprentices and trainees in the workplace.

NSW

·         Subject to availability, employers can apply for subsidised training for their employees via the Smart & Skilled program, which offers reduced standardised fees.[2] 

·         Workplace supervisor workshops are available free to employers and supervisors of apprentices and trainees. Workshops are available in a variety of locations in metropolitan and regional areas of NSW.[3] They are not specific to maritime employers and supervisors. 

Northern Territory

·         The Northern Territory Government provides Skills NT grants for the delivery and support of VET training in defined focus areas, including equity groups, First Nations people, high demand occupations, apprenticeships and traineeships. Registered Training Organisations, industry groups and businesses can apply for grants on the GrantsNT website.[4]

South Australia

·         Fee free TAFE for Cert IV TAE (training and assessment) may be available for eligible potential maritime trainers.[5] There is also subsidised training available for the Certificate IV TAE with several training providers.[6]

Tasmania

·         The Tasmanian State Government provides funding to businesses and community service organisations. Information on programs, eligibility and funding rounds are published on the Skills Tasmania website.[7]

Victoria

·         Fee Free TAFE is available to complete a Cert IV TAE (training and assessment) for people who have already completed a free TAFE course.[8]

Western Australia

·         Jobs and Skills Centres located in metropolitan and regional WA TAFEs can help employers and business owners with recruitment, workforce planning and customised training. Employers can advertise positions on Jobs & Skills Centres employment boards. They also provide advice and resources supporting recruitment and retainment of First Nations employees.[9]

·         The Jobs and Skills WA Employer Incentive is not specific to the maritime sector. Funding of up to $8,500 per new recruit is available to employers of new trainees (including not for profit organisations) who meet a range of eligibility criteria.[10] Group Training providers may apply for the incentive for trainees, but must pass it on to the host employer and manage the host employer details in the Western Australian Apprenticeship Management System (WAAMS) online portal. Local Government and Government trading enterprises may also be eligible if they are on the approved list.[11]