Strategic Skills Program (SSP)
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Description
The Strategic Skills Program (SSP) purchases training from Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to address the strategic skill needs of industry, the community and individuals. Training is purchased for part-qualifications and some full qualifications which support employment opportunities for jobseekers and improve the skills of existing workers.
The 2011-2012 NSW Skills Priority List is used to guide the purchasing of training for the Program by setting out the qualifications from which training can be purchased by priority industry, target group and region. This priority list addresses both the current and emerging needs of the NSW economy.
Strategic priorities also include:
Note that from the 1st January 2011 funding arrangements for the Productivity Places Program (PPP) will be managed and administered under SSP guidelines and procedures.
Purpose
The primary purpose of the Program is to support skills formation in areas which are important to economic and social development in NSW. The Program seeks to:
- support increased productivity by up-skilling workers with skills relevant to their workplace
- provide employment opportunities with job related training for those entering the workforce
- provide skills to support labour market participation by those facing barriers
- addresses critical skills shortages within industry on both a state and regional basis
Benefits
For RTOs:
- support to meet an industry, employer or community training need
- contribute to the development of more flexible and responsive training delivery that supports the needs of industry and employers
- increase business profile as a provider of quality training
For Industry, employers, community organisations and individuals:
- access to high quality customised training
- build the capability of the workforce to meet business and community needs
- help relieve skill shortages and bottlenecks
- increase the chances of gaining a job with job ready skills
- assistance towards the cost of the training
- access to quality and nationally recognised training
How to participate
RTOs
To be eligible to deliver training under the Program, RTOs must be contracted under the 2011-2012 Approved Providers List (APL) Contract for the NSW Training Market to deliver specific qualifications or accredited courses.
The Department’s State Training Services Regional Centres are responsible for organising the purchase of training under the Program. The Centres are guided by the 2011-2012 NSW Skills Priority List and the APL to source RTOs with the relevant qualifications to select the most appropriate training to be purchased under the Program.
Business, Industry or Individuals
Businesses or individuals seeking to access funded training under the SSP should contact the Regional Manager or Training Services Manager at the nearest State Training Services Regional Centre on 13 28 11.
Payment arrangements
RTOs are paid as according to the terms agreed to in the APL Contract 2011-2012..
Payment is based on the tendered price and the training delivery hours. Payment is prompted by the electronic lodgement of participant and training activity data in the format specified in the APL contracts.
Application process
The current contract period is for the 2011-2012 calendar years. Applications for the next contract will be invited in the latter half of 2012.
2009-2010 sub programs no longer operating
The following SSP sub programs or funding arrangements are no longer operating as a separate initiative. They have been integrated into the 2011-2012 SSP model.
- Corporate Partners for Change
- Indigenous Training Strategy
- Partnering Training for Older Workers
- Pre-employment Strategy.
