Skilled to Succeed

Minister's foreword

The ACT Government is ambitious for Canberra: for the growth of our economy, the capability of our workforce and the great jobs our thriving local industries can offer.

This ambition is reflected in our target to grow the Territory’s workforce to 250,000 by 2025. It can be seen in our own billion-dollar investments in local infrastructure, services and innovation, where we are leading by example in strengthening the economy and delivering quality jobs.

As we emerge from the challenging years of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are also optimistic about the ACT’s potential. Since 2016, our population has grown by 29,200 people and our economy by 20 per cent. Unemployment is 0.6 percentage points lower and 22,900 jobs have been created.

This gives us a strong foundation to launch into the next phase of Canberra’s growth.

Canberra Switched On set out the ACT Government’s economic development priorities, and highlighted the importance of developing talent locally to match the best and brightest globally. To capitalise on our opportunities for knowledge-based economic growth, we need to ensure our workforce has the right skills for in-demand jobs – now and in the future.

Skilled to Succeed (PDF 5.5MB) supports this agenda by outlining our priorities and plans for harnessing the ambition that thrives in our community. Among students and workers who are ambitious for their futures. Employers who are ambitious for their businesses. Training providers who are ambitious about the quality, diversity and accessibility of their offerings.

Skills shortages, and accelerated change in the world of work, have put a spotlight on skills and workforce development like never before. We want to turn that spotlight into a beacon for attracting new students to the ACT’s training system and encouraging skilled workers to apply their talents in Canberra.

In 2022, the ACT Government is investing more than ever before, both in training and strengthening our skills system for the future. We call on business and industry to partner with us in creating even more opportunities for training, to support the ongoing development and attraction of a highly-skilled workforce.

Skilled to Succeed (PDF 5.5MB) maps out the key priorities which will be the focus of these efforts.

With ambition and optimism driving our approach, we are working to ensure every Canberran is skilled to succeed – for a great job today and a rewarding lifetime in work as our economy changes and grows.

Refer to the Skilled to Succeed Innovation grants program page for information about the 2023 grants program.