FACT SHEET
SKILLS CONNECT PROGRAMS
SKILLS CONNECT FUND
The Skills Connect Fund provides individual enterprises and business clusters with access to more flexible
Australian Government funding support to address holistic, whole of workforce training needs.
Co-funding grants can assist with the costs of undertaking nationally recognised vocational training and
support services to maximise productivity outcomes.
The fund streamlines and simplifies the application and funding process into a single ‘transaction’ with the
Government. Importantly, it gives employers greater choice in the type of skills/training solutions they need to
develop their workforce and address skills and training needs.
The Skills Connect Fund also supports mature age workers under the Investing in Experience initiative. This
enables training for mature age workers to continue making their valuable contributions to business and the
economy.
NATIONAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FUND
The National Workforce Development Fund enables businesses to co-invest with the Government to train,
re-skill and up-skill workers in areas of identified skills needs. This involves fully accredited training
qualifications and skill sets.
Industry Skills Councils are working with industry to identify projects that will respond to workforce training
needs in areas of highest demand. This effort covers all sectors, from construction and logistics to
manufacturing, aged care and hospitality. Training ranges from Certificate III to Diploma level.
WORKPLACE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERACY
The Workplace English Language and Literacy (WELL) program enables training in English language,
literacy and numeracy to be integrated into other workplace vocational training and qualifications.
This means that WELL underpins increased productivity, communication and occupational health and safety
for workplaces, and provides improved job security and career prospects for workers.
The training model is flexible, tailored to the needs of the workplace and can be based on industry specific,
nationally endorsed training packages. There is an employer contribution element to this initiative.
ACCELERATED AUSTRALIAN APPRENTICESHIPS
The Accelerated Australian Apprenticeships initiative aims to support a systemic shift to competency-based
progression and completion in vocational education and training, with a focus on Australian Apprenticeships.
Australian Government funding is available for industry-led partnerships to develop and implement innovative
models that extend the reach of competency-based progression in Australian Apprenticeships in their sector.
This is available in the form of one-off grants to Industry Skills Councils, peak industry bodies or other
organisations.
AUSTRALIAN APPRENTICESHIPS MENTORING
The overarching purpose of the mentoring program is to increase the retention and completion rates of
Australian Apprentices, particularly in the first 12 months of training.
The funding model supports targeted mentoring to help apprentices to progress through apprenticeships.
Mentoring may involve support for their employers or supervisors to encourage positive employment
relationships and support.
The Australian Apprenticeships Advisers program sits under the mentoring package. It is targeted to school
leavers who are considering a career in a skilled occupation and would like to know more about an
Australian Apprenticeship.
Please note: It is recommended that you contact the department at mentoringpackage@innovation.gov.au
prior to submitting an application for funding.
SKILLS CONNECT
Details of Skills Connect programs and advisory networks are available from: www.skillsconnect.gov.au