IPWEA (NSW) 2011/2012 Critical Skills Funding Application
National Workforce Development Fund:

Call For Funding Requests

IPWEA wins Federal Government Funding For Critical Skills Training

On 01 September 2011, the Australian Federal Government has announced that IPWEA (NSW) had successfully applied and would receive funding for the provision of 185 skills development training places across 11 NSW councils as part of the $558 million National Workforce Development Funding program.

IPWEA (NSW) has been selected as a showcase outcome by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations because of the depth of training outcomes across NSW in the critical skills area of civil construction.

These training places are targeted to meet the skills development of civil construction workers, both new and existing and includes such courses as the Certificate III and IV in Civil Construction (Operations and Supervision), Certificate IV in Training, Assessment and Education (TAE) and the Certificate IV in Frontline Management.

This training will be provided on a cost-share partnership with the Federal Government providing between 50% and 90% of the training funding (based on the size of the council workforce), with the first training planned to commence in late September.

The accredited, nationally recognised training will be provided by TAFE NSW who will act as the Registered Training Organisation (RTO). TAFE NSW will provide course materials and training support in addition to course materials developed by IPWEA (NSW) that meet specific industry needs not currently available through existing TAFE NSW course material.

IPWEA will provide ongoing support to the councils involved, ensuring that training continues to be current and relevant and that training outcomes are achieved.

This is a significant success for IPWEA (NSW) in that it provides our members with an opportunity to both recognise current skills and further develop those skills for future career opportunities.

Call For Applications For Round 2 Funding (by 30 September 2011)

Additional to the funding announcement, the Federal Government has announced that applications are now open for additional funding for critical skills funding.

Under the new funding requirements, IPWEA (NSW) in conjunction with the Industry Skills Council, SkillsDMC, will be seeking funding to provide further critical skills training for those councils and civil construction organisations that were unable to apply for Round 1 funding or, for those councils that did receive funding, to provide for additional training opportunities.

Applications must be finalised and submitted by IPWEA (NSW) by 30 September 2011.

As the lead organisation, IPWEA (NSW) will be making this funding application on a national basis with the support of IPWEA Australia and each of the IPWEA state branches.

The cost-share contribution levels in Round 1, with the Federal Government funding is:

Number of employees:                                 Federal Government %                 Participating Employer %

1 – 99                                                                    90%                                                        10%

100 – 199                                                               75%                                                        25%

200+                                                                      50%                                                       50%

(Funding levels in Round two are yet to be confirmed)

What training will this funding cover?

The Critical Skills Development Funding program provides support for Certificate II, III & IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Vocational Graduate Certificate and Vocational Graduate Diploma levels for new workers and Certificate III & IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Vocational Graduate Certificate and Vocational Graduate Diploma levels for existing workers.

The courses applied for must meet the current and future needs of workforce critical skills development in civil construction and engineering.

What are the proposed courses on offer?

The current range of proposed training IPWEA (NSW) will seek funding for are:

Certificate II in Civil Construction (Operations)

Certificate III in Civil Construction (Operations)

Certificate IV in Civil Construction (Operations)

Certificate IV in Civil Construction (Supervision)

Diploma in Civil Construction

Graduate Certificate in Infrastructure Asset Management and

Graduate Diploma in Infrastructure Asset Management

Certificate IV in Training, Assessment and Education (TAE)

Additional courses can be added to the funding application if, and as requested, by employers who require such training to be conducted in order to meet critical skills needs.

How do you apply for funding for your organisation?

Simply Contact:

Colin Emerson

Professional Development Manager

02 8267 3008

colin@ipwea.org.au