The Australian Government's skills funding commitments in the 2022 Federal Budget are welcomed by the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), the peak body representing independent providers in the skills training, higher education, and international education sectors.
"The budget has made a number of significant skills training commitments and the focus now turns to ensuring that these put students are at the heart of the skills training sector and allow students to study with the provider of their choice," said Troy Williams, ITECA Chief Executive.
The government's commitment includes include $871.7 million over 5 years for 480,000 fee-free skills courses in industries and regions with skills shortages, including around 180,000 places under a one-year partnership agreement with states and territories commencing from 1 January 2023.
"The budget commitments are welcome and we need to ensure that the Albanese Government backs a student's decision to study with the provider of their choice, whether this be a quality independent skills training provider or a public one," said Troy Williams, ITECA Chief Executive.
Independent skills training providers support more than 87% of the 4.3 million students in skills training across the country, and lead on key measures of student and employer satisfaction.
