Grants program now open to support regional trainees

• Regional Traineeship Program grants of up $40,000 available
• Cook Government program encourages people to stay and work in their local regional community
• 316 trainee placements completed across the State since 2018

Regional Development Minister Don Punch has announced a new round of the Cook Government's Regional Traineeship Program grants is open, with $2 million available to build local jobs and workforce capacity in regional communities across Western Australia.

Grants of up to $40,000 are available to WA Community Resource Centre (CRC) Network members and select regional Local Government Authorities (LGA) to assist with the cost of employing a trainee.

The one-off payment will support vocational training to develop a trainee's skills and knowledge to help meet the needs of local businesses and industry.

Since the program was launched in 2018, there have been 316 trainee placements across the State, benefiting local enterprises and communities in our regions.

Applications under the 2024-25 grant round close 25 October 2024.

The program is delivered through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Don Punch:

"The Regional Traineeship Program is an important initiative supporting training, skills and career opportunities in the regions.

"In the most recent funding round, 50 successful grant recipients employed trainees across a wide range of skills areas, from information technology, aged care and business administration to tourism, civil construction and horticulture.

"I encourage CRCs and eligible LGAs to collaborate with regional businesses to see how the Regional Traineeship Program grants can build capacity and job opportunities in their community."