The Allan Labor Government is addressing critical skills shortages with new training courses to help industries upskill and grow their workforce.

Minister for Jobs and Industry Natalie Hutchins today visited the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research to announce the successful projects under the Skills Solutions Partnerships program that will share in $4.4 million.

The Skills Solutions Partnerships program supports training providers and industry to come together and develop and deliver the training programs the industry needs. The program focuses on priority industries, such as manufacturing, economics, construction, healthcare and social services.

The first round of the program will provide $4.4 million for a range of projects, including:

• Training for medical and medtech researchers to be delivered by the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes, Swinburne University of Technology and MTPConnect

• Management training for leaders in the alcohol and other drugs sector to be delivered by the Victorian Alcohol and Drugs Association and RMIT

• Digital upskilling for regional health service providers to be delivered by RMIT, Grampians Health and Cisco

• Disability in the workforce training for HR leaders and employers to be delivered by Ability Works, Swinburne, Ive Group and Transurban

• Upskilling disability workers to support clients health needs being delivered by National Disability Services and The Gordon.

The Skills Solutions Partnerships program builds on other Labor Government initiatives that are delivering more high-value jobs, including training Victorians to fill digital jobs through our Digital Jobs program and making it easier to undertake vocational study through Free TAFE.

Since 2014, the Labor Government has invested more than $4.6 billion into training, skills and higher education – ensuring the growing demand for skilled workers across the state can be met.