The restaurant and catering industry has welcomed the Federal Government’s new scheme aimed at easing the skills crisis that is particularly hurting the hospitality industry.

The Government last week announced the $837m program under which up to 30,000 workers a year would be eligible for skills training at TAFE, private education institutes and community colleges.

As part of the scheme the Government says it will hand out skills vouchers worth $407m over five years to fund vocational and other training for workers over 25 who do not have Year 12 certificates.

The vouchers will provide up to $3000 for Certificate courses at technical colleges.

Restaurant & Catering Australia chief executive officer John Hart was enthusiastic about the scheme.

“Yes, it’s great news for the industry,” he said.

The Government will establish a hotline for next month for people to apply for the vouchers with priority given to the unemployed, unskilled workers and those on other forms of income support.