Smart & Skilled: How to get subsidised training in NSW to enhance your career

We all have certain goals and aspirations for our careers, but sometimes it’s not always easy for us to find a course or career that suits our needs. One of the most common barriers for people looking to further their education is money. Tertiary qualifications aren’t cheap, and for some people other course or alternative training options are out of their reach.

Thankfully, there is a solution. If you live in NSW and have been putting your health and safety training ambitions on hold, there may be a better way. The state’s Smart and Skilled program offers training subsidies for people around the state based on specific criteria. What does this mean for you? Your training could be fee free!

There are just a few things to keep in mind, including:

• Eligibility – You need to find out if you’re able to make the most of the program, which will depend on traits such as your age and whether or not you’re still at school.
• Course availability – Is the course you’re interested in actually available? Furthermore, will it lead to the career you’ve set your sights on?
• Training provider – Which organisation will actually meet your needs and give you the best start possible?

What makes someone eligible for the Smart and Skilled training program?

Unlike some other programs or courses you may be looking at the eligibility guidelines for, Smart and Skilled training are actually pretty simple. The state government’s website for the initiative even offers a tool you can fill out to get a quick and easy answer. However, before you do that, it’s also worth running through some of the basic requirements so you have an idea of what to expect.

First and foremost, you need to be at least 15 years old and must have left school. If you’re not sure about starting an apprenticeship yet, then a diploma in WHS can be a great way to begin preparing for the workforce.

If you’ve left school, the Smart and Skilled program could be for you.

There’s also a range of conditions concerning your living arrangements. If you live and work in the state, that’s the first step, but you also need to be either an Australian citizen or permanent resident, the holder of a humanitarian visa or even a New Zealand citizen. Since the program isn’t too restrictive on who can and can’t apply, it’s a fairly open and straightforward way to get access to cheap yet also high-quality education.

Better yet, being an apprentice or trainee won’t stop you from applying. If the qualification you have your eye on supports the focus of your apprenticeship, you may be able to secure funding for a supporting course, such as a Certificate IV in Work Health & Safety.

What courses are actually available?

The Smart and Skilled program offers people a range of qualifications to choose from, including courses in work health and safety. The initiative pairs you with a training provider too, ensuring everything is taken care of. Most importantly however, the initiative only offers courses that are integral to the state’s economy and expected to offer tangible job opportunities.

These offerings include the Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety, a course that’s perfect whether you’re new to the industry or looking to formalise the experience you’ve gathered so far. If you’re aiming for a career as a WHS professional, this is the course that will get your foot in the door, and it’s essential to take it on through an experienced provider.

To find out more about how AlertForce can set you up for a career in the health and safety industry, get in touch with the team today.