Solutions to address skills shortages in South Australia
The South Australian Government has invested $8.8m over 4 years to develop solutions to skills shortages and open new opportunities to connect South Australians to training and future jobs.
South Australia faces a range of skills challenges that need to be addressed. The 2024 Occupation Shortage List shows 307 occupations are in shortage in South Australia. South Australia’s Jobs and Skills Outlook 2024 shows that, over the next five years, just over 78,000 VET qualifications will need to be delivered to meet the skills demand of the state’s industries.
To date Skill Shortage Solution grants have supported 24 projects to pilot approaches to skill shortages in priority sectors and occupations including bricklaying, concreting, electrical, plumbing, air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanic and mechanical engineering occupations, along with the care sector. Skill Shortage Solutions has also supported women in trades.
2025-26 Skill Shortage Solutions
In 2025-26, 7 projects were awarded to tackle current and emerging skills shortages valued at up to $1.325 million.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Education Centre
Adapting and expanding an existing workplace-based action learning pilot program; this project will support 3 additional facilitators who will be trained in action learning delivery and workplace-based assessment processes.
Working across 3 aged care providers these facilitators will validate the suite of delivery and assessment tools; once endorsed these tools will be published for boarder sector use.
Vietnamese Community in Australia/SA Chapter
Focusing on training CALD communities in South Australia through culturally tailored, bilingual and flexible programs to improve their employability in aged care and disability services. Outcomes include increased language proficiency, higher course completion rates and a more culturally competent workforce.
The MTA Group Training Scheme
MTA is implementing a ‘Job Ready’ program to equip young automotive apprentices with essential soft skills, with plans to expand and enhance this training to include broader employability and personal development topics. The outcomes aim to improve apprentices' confidence, workplace integration, and employment retention.
PEER Education Employment and Training
Development of a VR-enabled Capstone assessment platform that digitises critical assessment components while maintaining manual skills through in-person delivery, aiming to enhance accessibility and scalability. The outcomes include increased assessment access for remote learners and faster qualification times.
Adelaide Training and Employment Centre
This project will employ an industry engagement officer to increase industry awareness and engagement in engineering trades including mechanical, fabrication and welding. The project aims to increased VET commencements and apprenticeships in the medium to long term.
South Australian Hair and Beauty Association
This final stage project aims to develop a structured training and mentoring program for students undertaking the Certificate II in Salon Assistant.
These programs aim to reduce dropout rates, accelerate apprenticeship placements and foster long-term scalability.
TAFE SA
This project will build two plumbing trade training sandpits at TAPS’ Beverley training premises to address current apprentices’ capacity limitations and enable TAFE SA in partnership with TAPS to increase the number of new plumbing apprentices entering the construction industry.
Women in Civil
The Women in Civil project is an example of a solution that sought to remove barriers and open opportunities to women entering the civil construction industry. Watch their story.
2023-24 Skill Shortage Solutions
In 2023-24, 9 projects were awarded to tackle current and emerging skills shortages in key sectors including bricklaying, commercial cookery and building and construction trades.
Brick and Block Careers
Industry engagement to promote and champion bricklaying as a career of choice and support employers and learners across the trade.
Master Builders Association of SA Inc
Mentoring supports for employers and apprentices to maximise retention of apprentices and course completion in building and construction trade occupations.
MEGT (Australia) Ltd
Individual support and training pathways for participants recently released from incarceration into various building and construction trades.
MEGT (Australia) Ltd
Introductory skill set for job seekers before starting an apprenticeship in Commercial Cookery.
TAFE SA
Assist care industry employers to undertake training needs analysis and develop recognition of prior learning (RPL) tools and resources to support kitchen staff to upskill in Commercial Cookery qualifications.
CEPU Electrical Division SA Branch
Support for female job seekers into pathways to electrical apprenticeships in the defence sector.
Floor Covering Institute of Australia Limited
Attract jobseekers and new employers to the flooring industry through career advice and trade workshops.
Hair and Beauty Industry Association of South Australia Incorporated
Attract, retain and maximise completions for hairdressers and barbers either seeking to re-enter the workforce or have successfully completed Certificate II in Salon Assistant and not transitioned into a Certificate III in Hairdressing.
National Fire Industry Association of Australia Ltd
Support for female job seekers to commence the Certificate III in Fire Protection with tailored mentoring and the development of an ePortal for employers to connect to apprenticeship opportunities.