The Morrison Government will invest $2 billion to give hundreds of thousands of Australians access to new skills by retraining and upskilling them into sectors with job opportunities.

The new JobTrainer skills package will also guarantee support for tens of thousands of apprentices in jobs across Australia, including the Bonner electorate, by subsidising their wages to keep them employed and training secured.

The new $1 billion JobTrainer Fund will provide up to an additional 340,700 training places across Australia to help school leavers and job seekers access pre-apprenticeships, short courses and full qualifications to develop new skills in growth sectors and create a pathway to more qualifications.

Courses will be free or low cost in areas of identified need, with the Federal Government providing $500 million with contributions matched by State and Territory Governments.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the JobTrainer skills package was focused on getting people into jobs.

“JobTrainer will ensure more Australians have the chance to reskill or upskill to fill the jobs on the other side of this crisis,” the Prime Minister said.

“COVID-19 is unprecedented, but I want Australians to be ready for the sorts of jobs that will come as we build back and recover.”

The package also includes an additional $1.5 billion to expand the wage incentive to help keep apprentices in work, which builds on the initial $1.3 billion package announced in March.

In addition to small businesses already covered, the wage subsidy will now be available to medium businesses with less than 200 employees for apprentices employed as at 1 July 2020.

Around 180,000 apprentices and 90,000 small and medium businesses employing them will now be supported, with the program extended by six months to March 2021.

The initiative covers 50 per cent of the wages paid to apprentices and trainees, up to $7000 per quarter.

Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash said the JobTrainer skills package would form a vital part of the national recovery efforts.

“Our nation has faced many challenges, and it is critical we keep our apprentices in jobs and help those looking for work,” Minister Cash said.

“This package will be essential as the economy rebuilds so people looking for work can reskill and upskill for in-demand jobs, provide school leavers with a pathway into their careers, and ensure businesses are able to get the skilled workers they need.”

Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships Steve Irons said the expanded wage subsidy would more than double the number of supported apprentices and trainees.

“The Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy will now help almost 90,000 businesses employing around 180,000 apprentices and trainees throughout Australia,” Assistant Minister Irons said.

“This will dramatically improve the viability of tens of thousands of apprenticeships and the businesses employing them right across the country.”

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the Skills Package would provide a much-needed boost to jobseekers and school leavers in his electorate to ensure jobseekers were trained in the skills needed by our local businesses community.

“Backing training, apprentices, and jobs is all part of the Morrison Government’s plan to restore our economy after the coronavirus pandemic and keep Australians in our local area in work.,” Mr Vasta said.

States and territories need to sign up to a new Heads of Agreement to access JobTrainer funding, with the agreement setting out immediate reforms to improve the vocational education and training sector, and providing the foundation for long term improvements as outlined by the Prime Minister in his recent speech to the National Press Club.

The Morrison Government will help local small businesses as they move into the recovery phase of the coronavirus crisis by extending the Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme which supports small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) to get access to the funding they need to adapt and innovate during the coronavirus crisis.

Under the existing Scheme, the Government is providing an unprecedented level of support to SMEs in partnership with 44 approved lenders by guaranteeing 50 per cent of new unsecured loans to SMEs.

The Scheme has already seen more than 15,600 businesses accept loans worth $1.5 billion.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the next phase of the Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme would help small businesses in his electorate move out of hibernation, successfully adapt to the new COVID-safe economy and invest for the future.

“Extending the SME Guarantee Scheme is our Government’s way of supporting small businesses as they seek to rebuild, adapt and create local jobs on the other side of the coronavirus crisis,” Mr Vasta said.

Key changes to the Scheme include:

• Extending the purpose of loans able to be provided beyond working capital, such that a wider range of investment can be funded;
• Permitting secured lending (excluding commercial or residential property);
• Increasing the maximum loan size to $1 million (from $250,000) per borrower;
• Increasing the maximum loan term to five years (from three years); and
• Allowing lenders the discretion to offer a repayment holiday period.

The extended terms of the Scheme will enable lenders to continue supporting Australian small businesses when they need it most.

The expanded Scheme will shift from providing access to working capital to helping businesses stay afloat during the crisis to now also enabling them to access more affordable and longer-term credit so that they can invest for their future.

The initial phase of the Scheme remains available for new loans issued by eligible lenders until 30 September 2020.

The second phase of the Scheme will start on 1 October 2020 and will be available until 30 June 2021.

For more information visit www.business.gov.au

Community groups in Bonner can apply for new NAIDOC local grants to help showcase the best of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture during this year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said NAIDOC Week 2020 would be held between November 8 – 15 and there was $1.4 million available to support local communities to host events and other activities during the week.

“All Australians are excited to start planning and attending in-person and virtual events in a COVID safe way and NAIDOC Week will be an opportunity to celebrate our resilience,” Mr Vasta said.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people play a vital role in the story of our nation and through these grants, events will be held to celebrate our proud history and shared culture, and also recognise and honour the contributions and achievements of Indigenous Australians.”

Mr Vasta said this year’s theme was Always Was, Always Will Be.

“I look forward to our local community groups engaging with Indigenous culture, gaining a greater understanding of our nation’s shared history and celebrating the unique place Indigenous peoples have in our society,” Mr Vasta said.

“I encourage everyone to plan how they will get involved with NAIDOC Week and look forward to unique events and other activities to showcase the best of Indigenous Australia in a safe way.”

Information on the 2020 NAIDOC local grants round is available on the National Indigenous Australians Agency website www.niaa.gov.au/naidoc

Applications close 17 August 2020 and all applicants from the previous round in March will be contacted by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and provided guidance on how to re-apply.

Events and information about NAIDOC Week 2020 will be posted to www.naidoc.org.au