Skills for Growth Factsheet
A payment that contributes towards the cost of providing industry training for young people.
Updated February 2012
About Skills for Growth
Through Skills for Growth, generally employers can receive $5,000 to contribute towards the costs of investment in training for a new permanent employee aged 16 to 24 years.
The employer must commit to supporting the young person to achieve a Level 2 qualification (or higher) on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework or equivalent and relevant industry training. Support provided by the employer includes meeting the costs of the training, for example, fees and stationery.
Eligible employers
All employers are eligible, but the emphasis is on growth industries or those industries where there is a demand for skilled workers.
Eligible employees
In general, young people must be aged 16 to 24 years and receiving a main benefit, but eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis. The local Work and Income office can advise of employee eligibility.
Positions that are suitable for Skills for Growth
To qualify for Skills for Growth, the position must be permanent, a minimum of 30 hours per week, and involve industry-recognised training. In some circumstances we may be able to help with part-time positions of at least 15 hours per week.
Payment of the Skills for Growth training subsidy
Generally employers will receive 3 part-payments totaling $5,000 as follows:
- $1,000 when the young person has a confirmed job offer and a training plan is developed
- $3,000 after three months of employment and training
- $1,000 at the earlier of either:
- completion of the qualification (can only be paid after six months of employment), or
- after 12 months of employment, provided the young person is still completing the training required to complete their Level 2 qualification or equivalent and relevant industry training.
How it works
Our regional work brokers or national account managers will talk with employers to identify vacancies that meet the Skills for Growth criteria. We then refer eligible young people to the employer for selection.
