The Regional Education and Skills Program is a BHP funded initiative that has been launched as part of the Future of Work Program to support skills development in regional Australia. The program will take the place of the 2022 Short Course Program, and eligible students will receive a financial contribution towards their tuition fees for a course of their choosing.

To be eligible for the program, candidates will be assessed against criteria to determine their eligibility.

This includes:

• The industry area of study. Courses from a broad range of industry areas will be considered, however, key focus areas include health, early childhood education and care, engineering, construction, agriculture, IT and Business.

• Course type. Students must be enrolled or in the process of enrolling in a course that commences in 2023 or 2024. Eligible courses include Certificate I-IVs, Diplomas, Associate Degrees, Advanced Diplomas, Bachelor's Degrees, Undergraduate and Graduate Certificates, VET Skill Sets and Microcredentials listed on the national marketplace.

• Place of residence. Students must live or work in one of the following regional areas to be eligible for the program: Bowen Basin and Mackay in Qld, Upper Spencer Gulf and Roxby Downs in SA, the Pilbara and Goldfields region in WA or the Upper Hunter Region in NSW.

• Purpose and community contribution. Students must demonstrate how they will use the course to support their career progression and local community needs.

• Access the application form here

• Reach out to applications@regionalfutureofwork.com for further information if needed

• Complete the short online application

• If shortlisted, provide evidence of your enrolment and place of residence

• Receive an offer

For the purpose of the Future of Work Program, an advanced apprentice is a person who is employed with a registered employer, and is enrolled in a higher education course.

Similar to the traditional apprenticeship model, advanced apprentices are paid by an employer to undertake structured on-the-job training as part of their course requirements. However, unlike a traditional apprenticeship, advanced apprentices will graduate with a university qualification.

Applications are now open for the South Australian and Queensland Advanced Apprenticeship Programs. Express your interest to receive more information on both offerings.