Hundreds of new job opportunities will be created for apprentices and trainees across the Sunshine Coast with the expansion of the targeted wage subsidy program as part of the Morrison Government’s National Economic Recovery Plan.
The existing Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy program is fully subscribed, helping to create 100,000 apprenticeships nationwide, including 612 in Fisher, in less than five months.
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said that 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.
“As a former apprentice carpenter myself, I am living proof that a vocational education can take you anywhere and right now our region needs all the tradies we can get. The more fantastic careers for local young people we can get started with these incentives at this difficult time the better.” Mr Wallace said.
It is estimated that this demand driven expansion will generate around 70,000 new apprentice and trainee places nationwide, with the Government investing around $1.2 billion.
“Through my own Ready, Set, Go! Bursary program, I have been working to give more young people on the Coast a leg up into an apprenticeship but this additional funding from the Federal Government will be a game changer. This is going to help hundreds of Sunshine Coast locals into a fulfilling and lucrative career, and show the young people of our region that they don’t need to go anywhere to get the job of their dreams or start their own business.” he said.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash said training and skills were at the core of the Government’s response to the economic challenges faced by the COVID-19 recession.
“Creating jobs, generating economic opportunities and boosting the skills of workers right across Australia are at the heart of our National Economic Recovery Plan, as we build back from the COVID-19 recession,” the Prime Minister said.
“With 100,000 new apprenticeship positions already snapped up, it highlights the confidence businesses have in the future of the Australia economy.”
“Growing our skills pipeline is an incredibly important part of helping our economic recovery,” Minister Cash said.
“The Boosting Apprentices Commencement 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, further supporting our National Economic Recovery Plan for Australia.”
The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements was one of the COVID-19 skills measures announced as part of the $4 billion in apprentice wage subsidies.
The Morrison Government is providing record levels of support to the vocational education and training sector in 2020-21, which is not only helping rebuild our economy but preparing for the future.
This includes the $1 billion JobTrainer Fund, which is supporting more than 300,000 additional free or low-fee training places for job seekers and young people.
The Government has also funded the National Skills Commission which harnesses contemporary data with labour market analysis to find the skills needs of the economy that in turn informs the qualifications and skills Australians need to train for.
The Budget also provided funding for the National Careers Institute which provides future apprentices, trainees and Australians looking to reskill or upskill with the information and support they need to take the next step in the career.
“And remember, you don’t have to be a sparky, a brick-layer or a chippy like me to get an apprenticeship or a traineeship. In our region we have apprentice hairdressers, chefs, gardeners and much more, so if you’re a young person in our community with the drive to succeed, I’d urge you to look into pursuing an apprenticeship today.” Mr Wallace said.
Further information on the support available to eligible businesses and employees is available at https://www.dese.gov.au/boosting-apprenticeship-commencements
