The Turnbull Government has so far offered 803 South Australians scholarships worth up to $17,500 each to skill up for the workforce.
Minister for Education and Training and Senator for South Australia Simon Birmingham said the Commonwealth Scholarships Program for South Australia offered $24 million for 1,200 scholarships for students undertaking training from Certificate IIIs to PhDs.
“This is about arming South Australians with the skills they need for work,” Minister Birmingham said.
“The Turnbull Government’s scholarships for South Australians will back students doing the study and training that they need to take advantage of areas like defence industry, advanced manufacturing and health services.
“We’ve also built in 20 days of paid intern work to ensure students get on-the-job experience and are ready for work.
“The Turnbull Government’s $89 billion investment in naval shipbuilding, our free trade agreements and tax breaks for small and medium businesses are a massive boost for local opportunities.
“These scholarships and our investments in South Australia’s future offer practical support to take advantage of industries where there are growth opportunities and skills needs.
“These scholarships are a helping hand for students who want to work and for employers who want to grow the South Australian economy.”
Minister Birmingham said regrettably, six of the scholarship applicants that wanted to study at TAFE SA had missed out on scholarships because the Weatherill Labor Government hadn’t fixed the debacle surrounding the institution.
“The Weatherill Labor Government’s handling of the TAFE SA crisis has potentially put the future of these six students in doubt,” Minister Birmingham said.
“Unfortunately the courses six students planned to complete are the subject of action by the national regulator ASQA that Jay Weatherill and Susan Close still haven’t resolved.
“South Australia’s students and workforce are suffering while the Weatherill Labor Government tries to delay further scrutiny of TAFE SA until after the election. South Australians deserve better than a 16-year-old government lurching from crisis to crisis leaving students to pick up the pieces.”
Students must be living in, or able to relocate to South Australia for the duration of the scholarship and intend to enter the workforce or accept employment in South Australia at the end of their course of study or training.
More information about the Commonwealth Scholarships Program for South Australia, including eligibility criteria, can be found at http://commonwealth-scholarships-sa.com.au/