Education & Training
History has taught this region that a flexible labour market reduces unemployment and creates jobs.
The development of the Hunter Region is greatly assisted by ready access to a highly regarded regional university, The University of Newcastle and the largest regional provider of vocational education and training in Australia (NSW TAFE Hunter Institute) as well as a renowned agricultural training centre (Tocal) and a large number of registered training providers.
RDA Hunter’s strategic and longer term goal is to form a consortium with the major education and training providers to establish the likely impact that global challenges the Hunter Region will face over the next 20 years in relation to job skills and then work to identify those skills needed to meet these challenges.
Critical Skills Investment Fund
The Critical Skills Investment Fund provides $200 million Australian Government co-funding for industry partnerships to undertake projects that provide training and employment opportunities in critical industry sectors. The goal is to help increase the supply of skilled labour for enterprises in these sectors. To achieve this, the Fund will support projects that train and place job seekers into available positions, or that up-skill existing workers to meet new demands. The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations will call for proposals for funding through Funding Rounds.