The Morrison 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.
Starting this week, businesses who 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.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said apprenticeships and traineeships were an important pathway to get young people into jobs and to ensure there is 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,” the Prime Minister said.
Locally based LNP Senator Paul Scarr 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.
“This new wage subsidy will provide school leavers and job seekers in the Ipswich region with a real opportunity to upskill and reskill through an apprenticeship or a traineeship,” Senator Scarr said.
The subsidy will be available to employers of any size or industry, who engage an Australian apprentice or trainee from 5 October 2020 until the 100,000 cap is reached.
Under the new measure, employers will be eligible for the wage subsidy for a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee for the period up to 30 September 2021, up to $7,000 per quarter.
Ipswich Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with the Bremer Chamber of Commerce is extremely positive about the Federal Government’s announcement.
“This investment by the Federal Government in skills to support sustainable jobs and sustainable Businesses in Ipswich is highly relevant to our Region. It will provide increased certainty for business, as well as for young people and those who are re-skilling and re-training to build a successful future after Covid19”, said Phillip Bell, Chamber President.
According to Ipswich based TAE Aerospace the announcement provides businesses with much-needed certainty when managing their apprentice and trainee programs.
“We have grown quite quickly in the last few years and this announcement means that, despite the tough economic times, we can move forward and take on new apprentices with confidence,” said Executive General Manager Military Systems, Paul Morris.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said the measure builds on the existing $2.8 billion Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy that is helping employers to retain their apprentices and trainees.
“The Australian Government has already invested significantly to ensure that apprentices are retained where possible and supported to re-engage if they lose their job,” Minister Cash said.
Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships, the Hon Steve Irons MP, said the new measures we are announcing today will build on the already significant investment to support apprentices and trainees.
“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,” Assistant Minister Irons said.
More information on the measure is available at: https://www.employment.gov.au/boosting-apprenticeship-commencements
