Tens of thousands of new job opportunities will be created for apprentices and trainees nation-wide with the expansion of the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy program.
The program supports businesses and Group Training Organisations to take on new apprentices and trainees, to build a pipeline of skilled workers to support sustained economic recovery. It has helped to create 100,000 apprenticeships in less than five months.
The Program will now become demand-driven and expanded for a full 12 months for new apprentices and trainees signed up prior to 30 September 2021. It is estimated that this expansion will generate around 70,000 new apprentice and trainee places, with the Government investing around $1.2 billion.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said training and skills were at the core of the Government’s response to current economic challenges.
“Last week’s National Accounts showed the comeback of the Australian economy is underway, however many businesses still need support and it’s important our apprentices and trainees get opportunities to boost their skills and stay employed.”
“With 100,000 new apprenticeship positions already snapped up, it highlights the confidence businesses have in the future of the Australian economy,” Mr Morrison said.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Michaelia Cash, said the program has to date assisted almost 40,000 businesses to take on a new Australian apprentice or trainee.
“By expanding this wage subsidy for another 12 months, we’ll be helping businesses to create even more jobs.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Council of Australia, Tania Constable, said the extension of the program is great news for Australia’s mining regions.
“Mining is already supporting jobs and regional economies in their time of need – including the employment of 8,836 apprentices and trainees – and more apprentices are needed to help create the future minerals workforce to meet growing demand for Australia’s world-class commodities,” Ms Constable said.
“Recent National Centre for Vocational Education Research figures show that while apprenticeships across all industries were down 11 per cent, the mining industry only experienced a 1.41 per cent decrease.”
“The broader Australian minerals industry is creating more than 5000 apprenticeships working in partnership with the Australian Government through the Mining Skills Organisation Pilot to modernise timely and efficient training of skilled tradespeople for faster outcomes with an initial focus on diesel mobile plant mechanics, an identified pressure point within the industry,” she said.
“The success of Australia’s resources sector and its ability to keep backing Australia’s regional communities depends on a highly-skilled workforce which includes traditional and emerging trades.”
More information on the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements program can be found here.
