Productivity Places Program

Introduction

The productivity places program is a core element of the Australian Government's Skilling Australia for the future policy. It aims to address higher level skills shortages and increased workforce participation and productivity. Both existing workers and jobseekers are eligible to participate in the program.

The Australian and State/Territory governments aim to provide a total of 711,000 training places nationally for existing workers and job seekers over five years in areas of skills shortage to ensure that Australian workers develop the skills they need. These training places are being delivered in an industry driven system, ensuring that training is more responsive to the needs of businesses and participants.

It is expected that approximately 20% of the total training places will be allocated in Queensland, based on the state's share of the working age population.

The target qualification profile for jobseekers is two thirds of places at certificate III, IV and diploma and one third at certificate II.

The target qualification profile for existing workers is 50% of places at diploma and advanced diploma, 40% at certificate IV and 10% at certificate III.

Productivity places programme for Rural Production, Conservation and Land Management and Horticulture.

The Department of Education and Training has entered into a brokerage arrangement with the Queensland Rural Industry Training Council (QRITC) to broker the training under the program for the identified industry priorities in Rural Production, Conservation and Land Management and Horticulture.

The priority occupation and qualifications for Job Seekers are included in the following table.

Please search the National Training Information Service for more information on qualifications for job seekers.

Occupation	Qualification code	Qualification name
Mobile plant operator	RTD20102	Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management
Farmhand	RTE20703	Certificate II in Rural Operations
Shearer	RTE20403	Certificate II in Shearing
Environmental research scientist	RTD30102	Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management
Farmhand	RTE31903	Certificate III in Rural Operations

The priority occupation and qualifications for Existing Workers are included in the following table.

Please search the National Training Information Service for more information on qualifications for existing workers.

Mixed crop and livestock farmers	RTE40103	Certificate IV in Agriculture
Environmental research scientist	RTD40102	Certificate IV in Conservation and Land Management
Vocational education teacher	TAA 40104	Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
Mixed crop and livestock farmers	RTE50103	Diploma of Agriculture
Environmental research scientist	RTD 50102	Diploma of Conservation and Land Management
Tree surgeon (Arborist)	RTF 50203	Diploma of Horticulture (Arboriculture)

Existing worker program model

Objectives

Productivity places for existing workers is a government initiative to raise the skill level of people already in the workplace to address the skill demands placed on industry sectors.

Who is an existing worker?

An existing worker is defined as someone who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident of Australia or humanitarian refugee and in the previous week worked for one hour or more for pay, profit, commission or payment in kind. This definition excludes those people who may work for more than one hour per week but are particularly disadvantage in the labour market. “Particularly disadvantage” in this context means:

An income support recipient who is not currently required to meet activity tests or participation requirements; or

A participant in the community development employment projects scheme; or
A person aged 15-19 years working up to 15 hours per week.

Model for Industry or Employers Accessing Training

The following diagram represents the process of an employer and staff accessing a training place under the productivity places program.

Existing Worker Application Form

To apply for admission to the Existing Worker program, download this application form, and then return the completed form to QRITC.

Job Seeker program model

Objectives

Productivity Places Program is a Government initiative that recognises the importance of nationally endorsed training in assisting job seekers to acquire skills and gain lasting employment.

Who is a job seeker?

A job seeker is a person who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident of Australia or humanitarian refugee, over the age of 17 who is currently not working but is seeking or intending to seek paid employment or self employment after completing the qualification. This includes an individual who:

Is registered with an Employment Services Provider (ESP) or
Is an income support recipient who is currently required to meet activity test or participation requirements or
Is a participant in a Community Development Employment Project (CDEP) or
Is a participant in the Commonwealth’s Access program or
Is not working and is participating in volunteering activities.

Workers who have been retrenched or have received formal notification of retrenchment are also eligible for the Program.

Job Seekers who want to apply for PPP need to contact their Employment Services Provider (ESP) or other provider for a referral.

Model for Job Seekers Accessing Training

The following diagram represents the process for a job seeker to access a training place under the productivity places program.

Job Seeker Application Form

To apply for admission to the Job Seeker program, download this application form, and then return the completed form to QRITC.