The Government has a comprehensive strategy to support jobs. The Nation Building Infrastructure package and the Nation Building and Jobs Plan will keep more Australians in work. The Jobs and Training Compact for Australia is a further $1.5 billion investment to improve Australians' job prospects, boost their skills and better position Australia for the recovery.
Australia cannot stop investing in its future; that is why this Government is looking after those who are often hit hardest by tough economic times — such as apprentices, school leavers, and retrenched workers. Investment in training, education and skills is essential to ensure that these groups are not lost to the downturn — instead they will be the ones to help boost the recovery.
Key elements of the Compact include:
- a training place for every young person aged under 25 who wishes to up‑skill
- requiring anyone under the age of 17 to be in school, training or work and
- increasing Year 12 attainment to 90 per cent by 2015.
Many young Australians get their start through apprenticeships. As part of the compact the Government is providing additional funding of $155 million to support both out‑of‑trade apprentices and lost‑job apprentices; and will encourage the use of apprentices in Government infrastructure projects.
Compact with Retrenched Workers
The Government's $438 million Compact with Retrenched Workers will provide immediate support to Australians who experience a job loss.
The Compact includes:
- $299 million to give retrenched workers immediate access to intensive employment services
- strengthening the safety net by increasing the liquid assets test threshold from $2,500 to $5,000 for single people with no dependants and $5,000 to $10,000 for others
- 10,000 training places through the Productivity Places Program (PPP) taking the total to 711,000.
Compact with Local Communities
The Government will build on its $800 million Local Community Infrastructure Program by providing $650 million through its Jobs Fund to support local jobs in areas hardest hit by the downturn.
The Job Fund includes:
- $300 million for projects that help protect the environment or promote sustainability
- $200 million to Get Communities Working for local council and not‑for‑profit projects and
- $150 million for local infrastructure projects that create immediate jobs.
Funding for the Jobs and Training Compact