Why Free Training Is The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

Free training! What is this all about? Let us break it down for you.

Why Do We Have Free Training?

The simple answer is COVID. The lengthy answer is that Australia’s workforce is changing and we need to change with it.

In 2020 the JobTrainer Fund was established by the Australian Government and has since been extended to September 2023.

The fund was created to support our country’s economic recovery by reskilling or upskilling into areas of demand.

The WA state government has received $51.7 million of Commonwealth funding from the JobTrainer Fund, matched by our own government funding.

So in other words, our government is investing a lot of money in training to help deal with the shortage of skilled workers in WA.

What Kind of Free Training Can I Get?

This really depends on who you are, what you want to do, and how quickly you want to do it! The WA Government wants you job-ready and fast.

Skills Ready is fast-track training that will get you there, whether it’s for your first job, your next career move, or upskilling for your own development.

Learning a Skill Set is an excellent way to upskill for specific skills and knowledge required for their job; or in situations where a full qualification is not required.

A Skill Set is a short course that’s developed by choosing individual units of competency from a full qualification (or qualifications) that target a specific set of skills and knowledge, to meet the needs of industry or a particular job role.

Can I Get Free Training?

Some Skill Sets are “free for everyone”, and others are free for eligible students. Check out the Jobs and Skills WA website for a comprehensive list of courses available.

The “free for everyone” training is available to all permanent residents of Western Australia.

Temporary residents who hold one of the following visa types are also eligible:

• holders of a sub-class 309, 444, 785, 790, or 820 visa
• secondary holders of a temporary visa of sub-class 457
• holders of a Bridging Visa E (subclasses 050 and 051) where the visa holder has made a valid application for a visa of subclass 785 or 790

Expanded eligibility for government subsidised training to the following temporary visas in 2023:

• visa sub-classes 449 and 786, which ware currently used for Ukraine and Afghan nationals
• bridging visas A, B, C and E where holders have work rights and have made a valid application for a Permanent Protection Visa (subclass 866), and
• secondary holders (spouses and dependents) of a Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482)

Who is not eligible

• Persons living outside of Western Australia are not eligible
• International students and people on a student visa are not eligible
• Students who are still at school*

*In 2022, Year 12 school students who are leaving school can access a subsidised training place from 22 October 2022.

*In 2023, all school leavers can undertake subsidised training outside of a VET Delivered to Secondary Students program from Monday 23 October 2023 subject to paying the appropriate fees.

Follow this link to the Department of Training and Workforce Development website which outlines eligibility for subsidised training in WA.

Eligible students that are entitled to free training include:

• Jobseekers
• people aged 15—24, and
• concession card holders

Search the Jobs and Skills website to find a free Job Ready Skill Set.

Does VTS Do Any Free Training?

Yes, we currently have two Skill Sets that are publicly funded and totally “free for everyone”.

SIRSS00022 Manage Disrespectful, Aggressive or Abusive Customers

BSBSS00095 Cross-Sector Infection Prevention and Control Skill Set

VTS is the only RTO in WA that is currently delivering these Skill Sets.

I’d Like A Job in Hospitality – What Can You Do For Me?

To work in any hospitality job in WA where you are required to serve alcohol, you will need to obtain an RSA, which is a Responsible Service of Alcohol. You can get one of those with us!

SITSS00071 Responsible Service of Alcohol

This course costs $32.40* for non-concession or $9.60* for concession.

Do a quick online price comparison for other providers and you’ll see this government-subsidised price is highly competitive.

VTS is the only RTO in WA that is currently delivering this Skill Set.

*Students must be Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents. Students must no longer be attending secondary school. Funding is available for eligible students. Student tuition fees are mandated by the Department of Training and Workforce Development VET Fees and Charges Policy. Student tuition fees are indicative only and are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Additional fees may apply such as Student service and resource fees.

When Can I Do My Free Training?

We will be running SIRSS00022 Manage Disrespectful, Aggressive or Abusive Customers AND SITSS00055 Responsible Service of Alcohol from our Joondalup training centre on the following dates:

Friday, 11 & Saturday, 12 November 2022

Friday, 2 & Saturday, 3 December 2022

Monday, 9 January & Tuesday, 10 January 2023

Monday, 23 January & Tuesday, 24 January 2023

Click here if you’d like to enrol in a Skill Set today!