The federal government is investing $4.3 million to build and run a one-stop-shop to help Australians learn new skills and become more job-ready.
It will provide a nationally consistent platform to compare course outcomes, duration, mode of delivery and cost.
“An educated and highly-skilled workforce will be essential to help power Australia’s post-COVID-19 recovery,” Education Minister Dan Tehan said in a statement on June 22.
“The microcredential marketplace will be a platform for job-seekers to see what skills they can gain by further study to help them get a new job or to get ahead in their current job.”
He said this marketplace builds on the success of its higher education relief package announced at Easter offering short, cut price courses.
Since that announcement 54 providers have created 344 short online courses in areas of skills shortages.
Skills Minister Michaelia Cash said this new initiative can work as stand-alone qualifications or complement study undertaken at the Vocational Education and Training or higher education level.
“The marketplace will provide consistency that gives students and businesses the assurance they need to invest in this new mode of education, Senator Cash said in the statement.
