I am writing to provide you with information regarding a new package of apprenticeship and traineeship initiatives announced by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP.  The package is designed to help secure the jobs and training arrangements of apprentices and trainees in the current economic downturn.  The package has two elements: the Securing Apprenticeships and Traineeships initiative and the Securing Apprenticeships and Traineeships through Registered Training Organisations initiative.

 

The Securing Apprenticeships and Traineeships through Registered Training Organisations initiative provides financial support to Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to cover the cost of the off-the-job training component where an apprentice or trainee with an incomplete qualification has been made redundant. RTOs will receive either $1,250 or $2,500 for each eligible apprentice or trainee who completes the off-the-job training component of their apprenticeship or traineeship. All qualifications at the Certificate III and IV level and Diploma and Advanced Diploma level qualifications listed on the Higher Technical Skills are eligible for support under this initiative which will commence on 1 July 2009.

 

The Securing Apprenticeships and Traineeships initiative provides financial support to employers who take on out-of-trade apprentices and trainees, or who successfully complete apprentices or trainees, at the Certificate III or IV level in skills shortage trades, or in selected Diploma or Advanced Diploma level qualifications. Eligible employers will receive payments of up to $2,800, comprising a wage subsidy of $150 per week paid at the twelve week point after recommencement and an additional completion payment of $1,000 paid on successful completion. The wage subsidy will be available to employers, including Group Training Organisations, who recommence an eligible out-of-trade apprentice or trainee on or after 1 January 2009. The completion payment will be available to employers, including Group Training Organisations, who successfully complete an eligible apprentice or trainee on or after 1 January 2009. An Out-of-trade apprentice or trainee is a former apprentices and trainees who did not successfully complete their apprenticeships or traineeships due to being “laidoff” by their employers.

 

More information on these programs will be made available closer to the commencement date from the Australian Apprenticeships referral line on 13 38 73 and the Australian Apprenticeships website at www.australia.gov.au/australianapprenticeships. ACPET will continue to provide updates and support to members as they become available.

 

  

Andrew Smith
National Executive Officer

Australian Council of Private Education and Training
20 February 2009