An initiative to train workers for industries significantly impacted by COVID-19 has assisted many businesses to upskill their workforce.

The Territory Government’s Critical Worker Support Package has helped train staff and assist employers find workers to fill a wide range of roles.

Kath Clark, quality manager at Darwin-based Eagle Training Services, says: “Business owners were screaming out to us for workers. They were desperate.”

She said the government program has been ‘fantastic’.

“We’ve had a constant stream of students. Most couldn’t afford the training on their own.

“A fair number of older students are getting training to stay in the workforce. They may have lost their jobs during COVID-19 and have been forced to think outside the box about work.”

Eagle has trained 50 people in Alice Springs and Darwin in Certificate II in Security Operations, which qualifies students to work at nightclubs, community events and shopping centres.

The Territory Government program paid for their licence for the first year.

It’s not the only training that has been funded, with 39 students trained to gain a Responsible Service of Alcohol card, which is mandatory for everyone serving alcohol in pubs, hotels, bottle shops or restaurants.

The Critical Worker Support Package was designed to support the Territory’s important tourism and hospitality industries, which traditionally rely on seasonal workers and working holidaymakers for staffing.

Free training is helping Territorians gain skills or upskill to find jobs.

Security company Territory Protective Services, which patrols Darwin CBD and guards pubs, hotels and community housing, is benefiting from the Territory Government program.

Director Rob Hissey said training and associated costs, such as the licence, add up to about $1,600.

“A lot of people who were very suitable for the job were put off by the costs, but this has led to a lot of them becoming guards, which is great for our industry.”

For information on other free and low cost training available, go to the Northern Territory Government website.