 The federal government has announced a partnership with motoring group NRMA to build 117 new fast-charging stations to connect more rural and regional parts of Australia. $39 million has been allocated to install 117 EV fast charging stations, (29 in Western Australia) on national highways and a National Electric Vehicle Strategy to encourage greater use of cleaner vehicles. The 29 stations in Western Australia will be located in: Balladonia, Broome, Caiguna, Cataby, Coolgardie, Eighty Mile Beach, Eneabba, Fitzroy crossing, Geraldton, Halls Creek, Kununurra, La Grange,Lake Argyle,Lake Mcleod, Madura, Manjimup, Merredin Nerren Nerren, Norseman, Northam, Pardoo, Peedamulla, Port Hedland, Roebourne, Southern Cross, Warmun, Willare, Wooramel, Yannarie. National Vehicle Strategy Map of charging stations  The 2023-24 WA State Budget has been released, and includes a range of investments across regional Western Australia. These include a boost to the New Industries Fund to support regional entrepreneurs in the innovation sector; an increase to the travel allowance for regional TAFE students; an extension of the Affordable Airfares program; continued funding of the Regional Athlete Support Program; and $77 million to manage and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage in WA, including support for new Local Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Services. Follow the links below to read the full list of investments by region:
Kimberley Pilbara Gascoyne Mid-West Wheatbelt Goldfields-Esperance Peel Great Southern South-West  A review by the Department of Training and Workforce Development during 2021 and 2022 of the WA Group Training Program (WAGTP) has been released. It was found "there was unanimous support for the WAGTP to continue and all stakeholders recognised the valuable contribution the program was making by supporting apprentices and trainees from the priority groups".
Access the report  The 2023-24 Federal Budget has been announced- find key investments for your industries and links to budget analysis below:
Arts The 2023-24 Budget "delivers immediate support to artists and arts organisations, our cultural institutions, training bodies and key areas of the new National Cultural Policy, Revive" including:
Budget 2023-24: What’s in it for the arts? (ArtsHub) Chalmers offers little for business (Print21) Australia raises location offset to 30% (AusFilm) 2023 budget delivers 5 year funding cycle for public broadcasters (Mumbrella)  A journal article in Sport in Society indicated three ways in which sport and technology are creating an innovative future. These include:
* growth of eSports competitions * use of new technology at sport mega-events to enhance the visual experience * application of smart devices to enhance training and exercise programs Access the journal article here  Through the state Government Community Participation and Inclusion Program (CPIP), 12 groups will be funded to create and deliver arts and culture projects to people from diverse backgrounds across regional and remote communities. Administered by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, the following projects have received funding:
 The federal government via Austrade have launched a campaign this week to attract older workers to tourism.
The campaign highlights the benefits of tourism jobs such as flexibility, seasonal or part-time work and the opportunity to work while touring Australia. Austrade has developed a range of resources to help businesses recruit mature age workers. Austrade website with resources  In July 2022, the State Government committed to supporting the information technology sector, meeting the critical need to upskill workers. Driven by industry feedback, low fee existing worker traineeships (EWTs) were developed, with course fees for the Certificate IV in Cyber Security; and Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Information Technology EWTs reduced by 72%. Annual course fees were also capped at $400 a year for youth under 25 and concession holders, and $1,200 a year for all other students.
Recognising the ongoing need to upskill workers in the information technology sector, this initiative has been extended until 31 December 2023. For more information on the initiative please visit jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/ewt.  The Hon Brendan O'Connor, the Minister for Skills and Training has addressed the Annual Australasian VET Research Association conference (27 April 2023) outlining some of the key themes to be investigated and supported within the VET sector. These include; the low level of apprenticeship completions, occupational gender disparity, the role of both public and private registered training providers, how to support the central role of TAFE in the skills ecosystem and the need to maintain a high quality VET workforce.
The full speech can be read at Annual Australasian VET Research Association Conference 2023 | Ministers' Media Centre (dewr.gov.au) |
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