Government’s $18.5 million microcredential pilot aims to inject workers into sectors suffering from talent shortages

Jason Clare has announced $18.5 million for a higher education initiative to inject new skills into the workforce using small courses.

The government will fund higher-education institutions to develop microcredentials targeting national priority areas, which include teaching, engineering, health, and technology.

The Education Minister said the pilot would parachute workers with particular skills into industries that were “crying out” for talent.

“Microcredentials offer students increased flexibility to mix and match studies across the higher education sector to enable them to find a new job or get ahead in their current field,” Clare said in a statement.

“They also have the potential to expand university and industry collaboration and improve the higher education sector’s ability to respond to industry needs.”

The government has allocated $16.5