About the program
Skills Solutions Partnerships provide a platform for industry to co-design training that meets their needs with TAFEs and Victorian dual sector universities.
The program is designed to foster collaboration between industry and education providers to rapidly address skills gaps through industry-tailored short courses.
The co-developed short training will:
- aim at increasing the qualification, retraining or development of new workers
- include a work-based learning model (such as an internship component or work-integrated learning) to support the employability and/or progression outcomes of learning participants
- be a new training solution or an innovative new approach to an existing course where the current offering does not adequately meet the needs of the employer or trainees.
What you get
Supported EOIs will undertake a collaborative design process to help project partners agree on the required training solution. The type of co-design will depend on the needs of the project and may range from meetings or round tables or appointing a co-design facilitator to the project partners.
All costs associated with the co-design phase will be fully funded by the department.
At the end of the co-design, the co-design facilitator will produce a report outlining the mutually agreed training solution for the project partners.
Projects identified by the department as suitable for funding from Skills Solutions Partnerships as the most appropriate pathway will then be invited to apply for a grant for funding of up to $1.2 million to develop, deliver and evaluate the pilot project.
Grant funding will be awarded on the basis that the lead applicant and partners provide a co-contribution equal to the funding applied for (1:1 co-funding ratio). This may consist of cash and/or in-kind contributions.
Eligibility criteria
Lead candidates must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply:
- is a legal entity with an active presence in Victoria
- has a current Australian Business Number (ABN) and considers that ABN on and from 1 January 2023
- is registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) on and from 1 January 2023
- is one of the following:
- a dual-sector university or TAFE based in Victoria (and subject to the Education and Training Reform Act 2006); or
- a business industry group or professional association that has a direct role in supporting business in one of Victoria’s eligible industry sectors (as determined by the Department); or
- a business acting on behalf of a group of businesses (such as a business with a large supply chain seeking joint training or a business acting on behalf of a business network) located in Victoria; and
- has met all employment obligations as an employer in accordance with the National Employment Standards.
Project and partnership requirements
Lead applicants are encouraged to collaborate with other firms. Partnerships involving multiple enterprises or those convened by an industry association are encouraged to ensure a wider impact in the relevant industry sector.
EOIs must demonstrate how the lead applicant and project partners will work together to maximize the impact of the co-design and development and delivery of the pilot project (if required) and how the pilot project will meet the objectives of the Skills Solutions Partnerships programme.
Program guidelines
Partnerships for Skills Solutions – Program Guidelines (PDF 230.51 KB)
Partnerships for Skills Solutions – Program Guidelines (DOCX 195.24 KB)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Read the full list of FAQs
More information
To discuss your project ideas, email the Skills Solutions Partnerships program team at [email protected].
Expressions of Interest (EOI) open at 9:00am (AEDT) on 21 November 2023 and will close at 11:59pm (AEDT) on 15 March 2024 (unless funds are allocated earlier ).