Page 1827 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 2 May 2012
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Through this $28.5 million agreement, and in partnership with the commonwealth, this government will work to deliver a productive and highly skilled workforce driving our future economy. Once we have consulted with relevant stakeholders and received further information on the national partnership from the commonwealth, I will be more than happy to make more details of the government’s forward direction public.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Porter, a supplementary.
MS PORTER: Minister, how will extra funding improve equity and access for students?
DR BOURKE: I thank the member for her question. As the member may be aware, this government already provides $40 million in funding to support vocational education and training outcomes in the ACT, with the CIT guaranteeing a training place to 15 to 24-year-olds, providing fee assistance to people—
Mr Smyth interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, you are now warned for interjecting.
DR BOURKE: on Centrelink benefits and people suffering economic hardship, and offering subsidised places to all Canberrans. As a result we are on track to delivering our target to halve the number of working-age Canberrans without certificate III-above qualifications.
The implementation of the national partnership will give working-age Canberrans even greater access to programs like those, with further subsidised places. The introduction of a national entitlement for training means that post-school to pension-age Canberrans who do not have a certificate III or higher qualification will be offered subsidised places to get such a qualification. These entitlement places will not just promote the career prospects of students by targeting areas of local skill shortage; they will also improve overall services in the community.
Another great improvement will be that the up-front costs for students undertaking higher level qualifications are set to be reduced, with the extension of HECS-style income contingent loans to AQF 5 and 6 level places. This means that more Canberrans will find it easier to enter into diploma and advanced diploma degree courses, with the extended VET FEE-HELP scheme set to cover courses worth up to $5,000 from next year.
The ACT government wants to continue to ensure that Canberra is the learning capital. We want more people qualified and all of us to be more productive.
MR HARGREAVES: A supplementary.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Hargreaves.
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