Grants available to keep trainees working in the regions

More grants designed to keep trainees staying and working in regional communities are now open, with a one-off payment available for businesses. Regional Development Minister Don Punch has announced a new round of the State Government’s Regional Traineeship Program grant is open, with $2 million available to build local jobs and workforce capacity in regional communities across WA. Grants of up to $40,000 are available to WA Community Resource Centre Network members and select regional local governments to help with the cost of employing a trainee. The one-off payment will support vocational training to develop a trainee’s skills and knowledge to help meet the needs of business and industry. Since the program was launched in 2018 there have been 316 trainee placements across the State, benefiting local enterprises and communities in the regions. Mr Punch said the grants awarded so far had been successful. “The Regional Traineeship Program is an important initiative supporting training, skills and career opportunities in the regions,” he said. “In the most recent funding round, 50 successful grant recipients employed trainees across a wide range of skill areas, from information technology, aged care and business administration to tourism, civil construction and horticulture. “I encourage CRCs and eligible LGAs to collaborate with regional businesses to see how the Regional Traineeship Program grants can build capacity and job opportunities in their community.” Applications under the 2024-25 grant round close October 25.