The Australian Government will be providing almost $16 million to new career improvement projects that will strengthen the country’s skills-led economic recovery. 

Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert said it was necessary that Australians get the best possible advice when looking for a new career. 

“We want Australians to be in control of their lives especially when it comes to pursuing their career aspirations and sound career advice has an important role to play in that effort,” Minister Robert said. 

“These 16 projects across the nation will help back Australians to find new skills by forging better connections between industry, employers, schools, tertiary providers and community organisations.”

Round two of the National Careers Institute’s Partnership Grants program has seen the commitment of $5.8 million for 16 new projects. This will help the chosen organisations deliver innovative career guidance services for people in all stages of their careers.  

Under Round two, these organisations will be using their grants for the following career improvement projects:

1. Wodonga Institute of TAFE — work with the Albury Wodonga Careers Advisers Association to deliver an engaging careers program for junior students in isolated secondary schools.
2. University of the Sunshine Coast — work with the Institution of Engineers Australia and local secondary schools to bring about systemic change in STEM career uptake.
3. Eurobodalla Shire Council — work with local schools and businesses to co-design and deliver progressive career guidance activities across the New South Wales South Coast.
4. Glenelg & Southern Grampians Local Learning & Employment Network — partner with schools, Rotary and the South West TAFE to identify and recruit Rotary host families to billet rural students in safe accommodation for easier access to broader industry placements. 
5. Ames Australia — partner with the Centre for Multicultural Youth to provide information sessions, workshops and one-on-one career counselling to Years 7-10 students from Pasifika and South Sudanese communities.
6. Jobs South West Inc — help primary schools across the WA Bunbury region to develop and deliver a Career Related Learning aspirational curriculum based on international best practice. 
7. WorkRestart Social Enterprises — partner with business and career advisers to develop and implement a suite of innovative career development interventions for prisoners and their employers.
8. Community Migrant Resource Centre — improve career guidance information that connects parents and children from diverse backgrounds to industries in demand.
9. Moonee Valley City Council — work with local community organisations to create a co-designed career guidance program for migrant and refugee women living in inner Melbourne suburbs.
10. ACT Council of Social Services — help establish the ACT Health and Community Services Careers Hub for greater awareness of career paths in the Health and Community Services sector. 
11. Hume Employment Service Limited — partner with local northern Victoria secondary schools to deliver a program that builds career advice capability of parents through the Engaging Parents in Career Conversations Model. 
12. Central Queensland University — work with the Australian Science Teachers Association and agriculture organisations to develop and deliver quality career guidance on the skills needed for agricultural jobs. 
13. University of South Australia — Co-design, develop and roll out facilitated career workshops with associated teacher professional development to support South Australian students in Years 6 to 9. 
14. Holmesglen Institute — develop interactive career tours, career pathway documentation and a mentoring platform for those interested in the tunnel construction and tunnel operation industries in Victoria. 
15. AgCommunicators — link with industry, schools and education providers to set up the SA AgCareers Hub and deliver career guidance initiatives for South Australian agriculture. 
16. Community Disability Alliance Hunter — work with the University of Newcastle to provide innovative, locally based career guidance for people with disability, by people with disability.

“We have a strong focus on regions bouncing back from recent lockdowns like the NSW South Coast and northern Victoria, as well as projects in South Western WA and Central Queensland,” Minister Robert said. 

Some of the successful career improvement projects under the program have included face-to-face careers guidance sessions, hands-on work experience, careers resource development and career mentoring. 

Meanwhile, Round Three of the program is expected to open on 20 October with a $10 million grant offering.  

“The focus of third-round grant funding will be on improving career pathways and information for women, particularly in non-traditional industries and occupations,” Minister Robert said. 

“This grant funding round, included in the Women’s Economic Security Package announced in the 2021-22 Federal Budget, forms part of our record $6.4 billion investment in skills, guaranteeing pathways to a better future for Australians.”

Source: Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Media Release

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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