FUNDING NEW APPRENTICES AND TRAINEES IN THE RIVERINA FOR A SKILLS-LED RECOVERY

The Australian Government will invest an additional $1.2 billion to support Australian businesses to employ 100,000 new apprentices and trainees as part of our COVID-19 economic recovery plan.

Since 5 October, businesses which take on a new Australian apprentice will be eligible for a 50 per cent wage subsidy, regardless of geographic location, occupation, industry or business size.

Member for the Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said apprenticeships and traineeships were an important pathway to get young people into jobs and to ensure there was a  skills pipeline to meet the future needs of employers.

“During this pandemic the Federal Government has been focused on supporting and creating jobs as well as identifying the skills we need in the economic rebuild,” Mr McCormack said.

“Whether it’s the manufacturing, housing and construction, arts or mining sectors, this new wage subsidy gives businesses certainty to hire and provides a career path to young school leavers or others looking for an apprenticeship or traineeship.

“Since the incentive began on 5 October, $6,031,528 has been invested into 935 apprentices and trainees across 568 Riverina businesses by the Federal Government.”

The subsidy is available to employers of any size or industry who engage an Australian apprentice or trainee until the 100,000 cap is reached. Employers will be eligible for the wage subsidy for a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee for the period up to 30 September 2021 and up to $7,000 per quarter.

“This new wage subsidy will provide school leavers and job seekers in the Riverina and Central West with a real opportunity to upskill and reskill through an apprenticeship or a traineeship,” Mr McCormack said.

The measure builds on the existing $2.8 billion Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy which is helping employers retain their apprentices and trainees.

“The Australian Government has already invested significantly to ensure apprentices are retained where possible and supported to re-engage if they lose their job,” Mr McCormack said.

“Through the existing Supporting Apprentices and Trainees measure, as many as 90,000 businesses employing around 180,000 apprentices throughout Australia will continue to be supported.”

More information on the measure is available at: https://www.employment.gov.au/boosting-apprenticeship-commencements