Regional Australia will receive a $674 million boost to improve higher education, training and employment outcomes in the 2011-12 Budget.

Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Jobs, Senator Chris Evans, said the Government was committed to making sure students from regional areas have access to quality education and skills training and are able to participate in the strengthening economy.

“Every student should have access to a world-class education and quality training no matter where they live,” Senator Evans said.

“The Gillard Government’s historic reforms in higher education have resulted in record enrolments at regional universities.

“This means more regional students getting a university education and acquiring the skills they need to take up the high-paid, high-skilled jobs of the future.

“Jobseekers in regional areas are also being supported to ensure they can access the skills training they need to take up employment opportunities.”

In the 2011-12 Budget, the Gillard Government will deliver:

• $500 million for a Regional Priorities Round of the Education Investment Fund to give students, staff and researchers in regional Australia access to world-class teaching, training and research facilities, which will open in mid-2011;
• A $45.2 million extension of the highly successful Priority Employment Area strategy, including Local Employment Coordinators and Jobs and Skills Expos for those areas doing it tough;
• $19.1 million to support the deployment of 34 Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Coordinators to engage in local regional planning activities, building on priorities identified by Regional Development Australia committees; and
• An additional $109.9 million for regional loading that will strengthen rural and regional higher education by helping to overcome the higher costs of regional campuses.

From 1 July 2011, the Priority Employment Area strategy will be extended for a further two years allowing the Local Employment Coordinators to continue their work in 20 areas of high unemployment across Australia.

“Coordinators will work closely with all levels of government, employers, training and employment service providers to help deliver local solutions to skills and employment problems and boost participation in these priority areas,” Senator Evans said.

Local Employment Coordinators will have access to funding of $20 million over two years to help these areas of high need across Australia.

Approximately 40 Jobs and Skills Expos connecting job seekers to employment and training opportunities will also be delivered. From 1 July 2011, Regional Coordinators will be deployed to regional communities around Australia to deliver the Regional Education Skills and Jobs Plans.

“These plans will allow direct engagement between the Australian Government and regional communities to improve access to education, skills and jobs,” Senator Evans said.

The plans will be developed and implemented in close consultation with relevant local stakeholders including Regional Development Australia Committees.

In line with the Government’s objectives of productivity and social inclusion, the plans will take into account five key areas: early childhood development, year 12 attainment, participation in vocational and higher education and local job opportunities.

The Government is investing in the growth of regional universities and has doubled the regional loading funding for higher education.

“Funding will be targeted to the campuses that most need our support, and it will be provided through a transparent process that responds to student demand,” Senator Evans said.

“The Education Investment Fund Regional Priorities Round, which will open in mid-2011, will see continued investment in university and vocational training infrastructure to support increased enrolments at regional universities and contribute to regional skills needs, economic growth and development.”

“It is expected that the Government will enter into contracts with 75 per cent of providers in 2011-12, with the remaining 25 per cent of contracts to be signed with providers in 2012-13. This will deliver better university and vocational training facilities for regional students.”

Senator Evans said the Government’s investment in regional education and training demonstrates its determination to ensure that regardless of where they choose to live and study, regional Australians will have access to quality education, training and employment opportunities.