Workers across the state will receive free accredited training to help them manage the ongoing risk of coronavirus infection in their workplace and keep the state open for business.

Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney has announced up to $10 million in funding to boost Victoria’s economic recovery through a national infection control skill set project, in partnership with the Commonwealth.

The project will deliver free short courses to workers in customer-facing roles in areas such as retail, food handling, transport and logistics, to ensure they can help their business operate safely.

The courses will help keep the community safe and will support businesses to reopen and help workers maintain their own safety, identify hazards and infection risks, and stop the spread of coronavirus.

The training will be a mixture of online and workplace learning and involve up to 25 contact hours, to ensure students can implement infection control procedures effectively. Enrolments will open at Victorian TAFEs and other providers from 1 July, and training under the program will be available for a year. Workers and businesses can get more information from their local TAFE, Skills and Jobs Centre, or online through the Victorian Skills Gateway.

With skill sets also available for unemployed and underemployed workers through Working for Victoria and Free TAFE courses, there are now a range of quick and flexible training options related to coronavirus infection control.

The Victorian Government’s investment in the project is in addition to its $1.7 billion Economic Survival Package, which is helping small businesses survive the impact of coronavirus and keep people in work.