THE NSW Government has allocated over $7M to support disadvantaged students in vocational training.
The funding will remove the cap on needs-based loadings for Smart and Skilled approved training providers, benefiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, students with disabilities, and the long-term unemployed.
Previously, providers could only receive one loading per enrolment, but the removal of the cap acknowledges that students may have multiple needs, allowing for additional loadings.
The decision is based on a report titled "Disadvantage, Disability, and Vocational Education and Training" commissioned by the NSW Department of Education, which found that disadvantaged students have a 15% lower completion rate.
TAFE NSW, known for training a higher proportion of disadvantaged students, will receive the majority of the additional funding.
The Department of Education will also establish a community of practice to share best practices and learnings among training providers.
