Rudd commits $35m for skills training

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has committed $35.6 million in funding to create more manufacturing jobs.

 

The PM says the Government is keen to work with business to retrain Australia's manufacturing workforce for the future.

 

Mr Rudd said supporting manufacturing required innovation and research.

 

"I never want to be the prime minster of a country that doesn't make things any more," he said during a recent visit to the Liberal-held Sydney seat of Bennelong.

 

"We believe what we need for the future of our manufacturing is to move up the value-added chain into high skill, high tech sectors."

 

He said a returned Labor government would spend $35.6 million to retrain manufacturing workforce under a Manufacturing Skills Plus program.

 

It would help nearly 7000 new and existing manufacturing workers.

 

"We want to help companies move from low skills, low technology manufacturing to high skill, high tech sectors where we will find the jobs of the future," Mr Rudd said.

 

The new funding comes after the federal government announced a $35 million youth employment program, Step into Skills.

 

That plan is designed to help young, disadvantaged job seekers become more employable.

 

The Step into Skills program will help about 9,000 job seekers before they undertake vocational training.

 

The program will be delivered primarily through TAFE and is aimed at youth aged between 16 and 24.