Skill centre grants
The Queensland Department of Education and Training (DET) administer funds on behalf of the Commonwealth Government through the Department of Education, Employment and Work Relations (DEEWR) for infrastructure needs in relation to industry-based and Indigenous Skill Centre Grant funds. The program is funded through the National Agreement for Skills and Workforce Development.
Skill Centre Grant funds allow for the flexible delivery of vocational education and training throughout Queensland. They are important in areas where TAFE does not provide such facilities, or in niche training markets not being met by TAFE delivery, or where the establishment of such a facility would complement training delivered by the local TAFE institute. Funds can be used to undertake the following:
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Construction of a new facility
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Purchase of land or an existing building
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Refurbish or upgrade an existing facility
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Purchase or lease of equipment or other assts directly related to training; or
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Purchase and fit out of a mobile training unit.
Grant Funding and Key Documents
A total of $11.0M is available nationally, with Industry-based projects having a $7.0M allocation and Indigenous (VIIP) projects allocated $4.0M. Guidelines for the two sub-programs can be accessed at:
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Industry-based Skill Centres - Industry Skill Centre Guidelines for 2010 [PDF 245kB]
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VET Training Infrastructure for Indigenous People (VIIP) - VIIP Skill Centre Guidelines for 2010 [PDF 249kB]
Application Process
Applicants seeking Skill Centre funding are required to complete the application form which forms part of the Guidelines.
Application Timelines
DET operates within timelines detailed in the annual Funding Guidelines provided to States and Territories annually. Timelines can be amended at any time by the Commonwealth. States and Territories are to advise potential applicants of any changes as soon as possible.
The process is as follows:
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Applications for Skill Centre funding opened on 1 December 2010.
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Completed Skill Centre applications are to be submitted to DET by 28 January 2011.
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Applications will be assessed by DET and submitted for review and prioritizing by an independent panel - the State Industry Selection Committee which is convened in mid February 2011.
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On completion of the assessment all state supported Grant funding applications will be forwarded to DEEWR in Canberra on 25 February 2011. Applications will then participate in a single, highly competitive, national selection round during March 2011.
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DEEWR forwards their national schedule of recommended projects for approval to the Commonwealth Minister on 4 April 2011.
State Training Authorities will be advised by DEEWR no later than 31 May 2011 of those successfully endorsed projects.
Who to contact
For additional information, please contact Mary Radnidge on (07) 3237 9912.