Future skills program guidelines · Web view2019-12-13 · The Future Skills Program (FSP) is a component of Territory Workforce 4.0, Northern Territory Government initiative, targeting

Future skills program guidelines Territory Workforce 4.0

Document title Future skills program guidelinesContact details Department of Trade, Business and InnovationApproved by Executive Director, Strategy and PartnershipsDate approvedDocument review AnnuallyTRM number DTBI2019/04884-0001-0002

Version Date Author Changes made

1.0 December 2019 Manager Strategy First version

Acronyms Full formFSP Future Skills ProgramRTO Registered Training Organisation

Future skills program guidelines

Contents1 Future Skills Program...................................................................................42 Purpose and Objective..................................................................................43 Who can apply?............................................................................................44 Who cannot apply?.......................................................................................45 What can be funded?....................................................................................56 What cannot be funded?...............................................................................57 How to Apply................................................................................................6

7.1 Application requirements.............................................................................................68 Assessment of applications...........................................................................69 Target cohort...............................................................................................7

9.1 Determining student eligibility....................................................................................79.1.1 Eligibility criteria................................................................................................79.1.2 Temporary resident visa holder access to the FSP course.................................7

10 Grants Agreements.......................................................................................810.1 Reporting requirements...............................................................................................810.2 Student survey............................................................................................................8

11 Publication, promotion and intellectual property............................................912 Program changes..........................................................................................9


1 Future Skills Program The Future Skills Program (FSP) is a component of Territory Workforce 4.0, Northern Territory Government initiative, targeting future skill trends and skilling needs. The FSP recognises that education is a lifelong journey that extends beyond formal institutional learning and encourages individuals to take greater personal responsibility for acquiring and continuously updating skills. The FSP is for the provision of training to Northern Territory residents already working, or re-entering the workforce and seeking to upskill.

2 Purpose and ObjectiveThe program is to address the potential impacts on the Northern Territory’s economy, specifically as a result of Industry 4.0, by targeting future trends and skills training needs.The objective of the FSP is to foster a skilled workforce by helping Territorians prepare for jobs of the future and provide industry with the workforce it needs to grow and diversify the Territory’s economy.The program will encourage individuals to enhance their existing skills and knowledge through skill sets, capitalising on past training and experience, and gaining portable and transferable skills.

3 Who can apply?Applications for the FSP will be accepted from:

registered training organisations an industry association or enterprise partnering with a registered training

organisation.Joint applications will be considered; however the primary applicant must be a Northern Territory organisation, meeting all of the following criteria:

Be operating in the Northern Territory - providing its services wholly or substantially in the Northern Territory for at least six months prior to submitting an application for funding.

Have a significant permanent presence - maintain an office, facilities or other permanent base within the Northern Territory.

Employ Northern Territory residents.If a joint application is made, the primary applicant must manage and lead the project and an arrangement with all parties must be in place prior to the application being submitted.Multiple applications will be considered.

4 Who cannot apply?Applications for the FSP will not be accepted from:

Department of TRADE, BUSINESS AND INNOVATION12 December 2019Page 4 of 10


government businesses/organisations public, private or independent schools individuals

5 What can be funded?FSP funding must be used for future skills related training (a combination of accredited and non-accredited) that meets all of the following criteria:

a) addresses identified future skills needs;b) includes the delivery of essential skills training;c) includes at least one nationally recognised unit of competency;d) offers delivery modes which can be tailored to suit the target cohort; ande) includes at least one face-to-face session.

The FSP will provide funding for courses that address identified future skills needs. Some examples are:

digitisation artificial Intelligence and machine learning big data augmented reality and virtual reality mobility and connectivity Internet of Things.

The training delivered is also to be supported by essential skills, such as: skills for collaborating skills for learning and adapting entrepreneurship skills analytical skills skills for adding value social platform skills.

The FSP has a budget of $2.2 million per annum for two years. Successful applicants are required to provide training to a minimum of 10 students per course and could receive a maximum of $3,000 per student, depending on the associated costs. Individual students will only be eligible to enrol in one FSP course; and the provider will be required to obtain a declaration from the student to confirm that they have not enrolled in multiple courses.

6 What cannot be funded?Program funds cannot be used, unless otherwise agreed, for:

a) full qualifications



b) activity that can be funded by Australian or other Northern Territory Government programs;

c) infrastructure expenditure; d) core business or to supplement core funding;e) activity that provides or may be perceived to provide commercial advantage;f) requisite licencing or ‘tickets’ that are recognised as established workforce

requirements; org) delivery of training or support to association/industry members/employees only.

7 How to ApplyApplicants must submit the future skills program application to [email protected] are encouraged to contact [email protected], or phone 08 8935 7743, for further information and advice on the development of an application.Applications will be treated as confidential.As part of the assessment, the department may consult with and provide material from the application to other government agencies or bodies, other organisations and/or relevant individuals, in order to substantiate any claims or statements made in the application, or to otherwise assist in the assessment of the application. If this occurs, the department will endeavour to ensure that the parties who are consulted observe appropriate confidentially.

7.1 Application requirementsAll applications must be submitted using the FSP application form; and the following information will be required:

a) A rationale for the proposal including:1. demonstrated demand;2. how it addresses future skill trends and skilling needs; and3. how it encourages individuals to take greater personal responsibility of lifelong

learning.b) Details of a student contribution that is suitable to attract and retain students, of no

more than $300; noting that no other fees, charges or penalties are payable by the student.

c) An itemised budget detailing all costs associated with the course.d) A plan detailing how the course will be delivered, the location of training and when the

training is to be delivered.e) Agreement to survey students 6 months after course completion. f) An evaluation plan; andg) A letter of support from relevant industry association or equivalent is to be provided if

in-principle approval for the FSP is granted.The Northern Territory Government actively supports local business through procuring its goods and services in accordance with the Buy Local Plan. Government grant recipients


mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


are strongly encouraged to adopt similar principles where procuring their own goods and services. For more information visit www.buylocal.nt.gov.au

8 Assessment of applicationsApplications will be assessed against these guidelines. Other considerations include:

a) the appropriateness of the budget submitted and value for money;b) whether the applicants have the ability and expertise to manage and deliver their

proposal and all of its elements; c) what proportion/component of the training program is delivered by and/or benefiting a

Northern Territory organisation; andd) flexibility to accommodate student working arrangements to maximise student

participation in the training program and/or the capacity to accommodate training outside working hours.

The department will conduct business checks and other due diligence as part of the application assessment, including consulting with other government agencies or bodies, other organisations and/or relevant individuals, in order to substantiate any claims or statements made in the application, to ascertain the viability and relevance of the proposed project, or to otherwise assist in the assessment of the application.

9 Target cohort The FSP is for the provision of training to Northern Territory residents already working, or re-entering the workforce and seeking to upskill.

9.1 Determining student eligibilityGrant Recipients are responsible for assessing student eligibility for the FSP course. The Recipient can determine their own assessment method provided it covers all eligibility criteria.Should the Department require, the Recipient must be able to provide evidence of the decision making process.

9.1.1Eligibility criteriaTo be eligible for the FSP course, students must first meet demographic criteria.Demographic criteria: (all criteria must be met)

a) Resident in the Northern Territory.b) Australian citizen; New Zealand citizen that has resided in Australia for more than 6

months; permanent visa holders and those holding a visa without work/study restrictions.

c) Above post-school age (17 years) and no longer at school.d) Be already working, or re-entering the workforce and seeking to upskill.


http://www.buylocal.nt.gov.au/


9.1.2Temporary resident visa holder access to the FSP courseVisa holders may engage in training under this program provided their work and training rights allow this based on information and advice provided by the Australian Government – Department of Home Affairs (DHA).Grant Recipients must have a process in place where students are asked to identify visa status during application/enrolment:

a) Where a student is identified as a visa holder, the Recipient must obtain a copy of that visa showing any training rights or restrictions.

b) Where it is clear that the visa holder has the right to government subsidised training, they can access the program.

c) Where it is not clear, it is the responsibility of the Recipient to obtain proof from DHA that the visa holder has a right to access government subsidised training in the Northern Territory.

10 Funding Agreements Successful applicants will be required to sign a Funding Agreement with the Department of Trade, Business and Innovation.Funding will be paid directly to the successful primary applicant.Generally, payments will be distributed as follows, unless otherwise agreed:1 30% Upfront On signing of Funding Agreement2 40% On receipt of a progress report3 30% On receipt of final report including evaluation of programIndividual Funding Agreements may vary, depending on the circumstances. Successful applicants will have 30 days in which to accept or decline a grant offer.

10.1 Reporting requirementsSuccessful applicants will be required to:

a) provide progress reports which coincide with payments; b) supply relevant Australian Vocational Education and Training Management

Information Statistical Standard (AVETMISS) compliant data for all training activity; and

c) where applicable, provide details of successful engagement or positive outcomes for promotional purposes.

Successful applicants will also be required to report on:a) number of participants;b) training outcomes; c) expenditure breakdown (money spent); and



d) student survey.

10.2 Student surveyStudents are to be surveyed six months after the course’s completion. The process for undertaking the survey will be at the provider’s discretion. The survey results are to be provided to the Department of Trade, Business and Innovation, in the form of a report, no later than nine months from course completion, unless otherwise agreed.The survey is to include the following questions:

Do you feel that the training was worthwhile? (rate from 1-5, with 1 being definitely not, and 5 being definitely)

Have you acquired new skills that have positively impacted on your career? (Yes/No) If Yes, how? E.g. has it lead to a different role? (text) Has the course encouraged you to continue with your professional development?

(Yes/No) Is there something that was lacking, or how could it be improved? (text)

The Recipient is to obtain the students’ permission: to provide their name and contact details to the Department; and for the Department to contact them directly in relation to the course.

11 Publication, promotion and intellectual propertyGrant payments will become a matter of public record. The Department retains the right to publicise information, including good practice models, case studies, data and resources developed as a result of grant funding. The privacy of individuals will be respected. Where relevant, intellectual property developed using grant funds will be owned by the Department and may be released for use by others.The successful applicant must acknowledge the Northern Territory Government’s contribution in all promotional and advertising material and other documents and communications in a manner that is commensurate with the funding.

12 Program changesThe Department reserves the right to:

vary these guidelines, the eligibility criteria or any other documented rule or procedure relating to the FSP at any time;

accept or reject any application for participation in the FSP in its absolute discretion; remove an organisation from further participation in the FSP where the Department

has reasonably determined that the organisation is no longer an eligible organisation, is in breach of these guidelines or is otherwise not complying with the objective, intent or expectation of the FSP;



cease the FSP at any time should Northern Territory Government policy change, in which case no further programs will commence.


Future skills program guidelines · Web view2019-12-13 · The Future Skills Program (FSP) is a component of Territory Workforce 4.0, Northern Territory Government initiative, targeting

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