Jeremy Rockliff

Premier of Tasmania



6 August 2020

Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Education and Training

Upskilling towards COVID-19 recovery

The Tasmanian Liberal Government’s Train Now Fund is enabling almost 1500 Tasmanians and 69 local employers to build their skills and operational capacity as we move towards recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $1.5 million fund is subsidising training and workforce development activities for existing workers and sole traders during COVID-19 restrictions, to boost the sustainability and future productivity of local businesses.

The funding enables Endorsed Registered Training Organisations to provide training that responds to the specific needs of local employers and workers as identified by local businesses themselves.

Importantly, it keeps sole traders and small business staff engaged during these quieter trading conditions and gives them new or enhanced skills for when we come out the other end of COVID-19.

The positive response to the Train Now Fund shows businesses are making the most of this time by upskilling so they remain viable and productive both now and as conditions improve.

Training sought through the program has supported hard-hit areas such as agriculture, retail and manufacturing, along with health and safety, licensing and plant training.

The Train Now Fund is part of our $6.3 million Rapid Response Skills Initiative, and along with the Rapid Response Skills Matching Service and Rapid Response Skills Training Support program is supporting businesses and workers when they need it most.

More information is available on the Skills Tasmania website



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