Skills Checkpoint is a program offering career guidance and training options for older workers within the New South Wales. It’s designed for people aged over 45 and it helps workers to stay in their current job role, transition to a new role at their workplace or find a whole new career path. The Federal Government program features online assessments, career advice from a trained consultant and a training co-contribution incentive.
If you’re eligible for Skills Checkpoint you’ll undertake personalised assessments to find out your current skill levels, strengths and career preferences. The assessments might include occupational aptitude testing or psychomotor testing. You’ll also meet with a career advisor who will provide individualised advice and create a career plan for you.
The career plan will address the skills you need to develop or update and look at possible training options. It might examine current labour market trends and make recommendations based on your current skills, aptitude testing and your individual circumstances. Your consultant will then discuss the possibility of subsidised training. The Skills Checkpoint offers a 50% co-contribution on recommended vocational courses up to $2,200.
To be eligible for the Skills Checkpoint program you need to be aged 45-70 years and an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Participants should be currently in work and at risk of entering the income support system, or just recently unemployed (within the last nine months). You need to be not receiving any other Federal Government employment assistance.