The National Apprentice Employment Network (NAEN) today congratulated the Morrison government on its election victory and looks forward to positive and imaginative steps to boost the number of apprentices and trainees.
The National Executive Officer of NAEN, Dianne Dayhew said the government’s election win should provide the impetus to press ahead with measures to encourage the recruitment, retention and completion of apprentices and trainees, especially in small businesses.
“The government has put forward positive ideas in the lead up to the election, the Budget and during the campaign itself, and there is now confidence that these can help to elevate the importance of apprenticeships and traineeships in meeting industry needs and changing lives.
“It was very welcome to see both the Coalition and Labor campaigning extensively on a vision for skills training that recognises the amazing opportunities available through apprenticeships and traineeships,” Ms Dayhew said.
In the Budget, the government announced a new incentive payment of $4000 to employers who take on apprentices in identified skill shortage areas, and a $2000 payment to apprentices, both starting on 1 July.
During the election campaign, the Coalition announced an expansion of the current apprentice wage subsidy trial, from 1 July, to support an extra 1600 apprentices. The subsidy is available to employers in regional and rural areas who have not previously engaged an apprentice. It will provide 75 per cent of the apprentice’s award wage in the first year, 50 per cent in the second, and 25 per cent in the third.
The group training network is also looking forward to engaging with the government on reforms in the wider vocational education and training (VET) sector flowing from the findings of the Expert Review of VET undertaken by Steven Joyce.
“The group training sector has enjoyed a very positive and cooperative working relationship with key ministers in the government, notably Ministers Dan Tehan and Senator Michaelia Cash in the education and training portfolio, and we look forward to continuing this once the new ministry is sworn in,” Ms Dayhew said.
“We also extend our sincere appreciation to the outgoing Labor Minister Senator Doug Cameron for his passion and commitment to the future of skills and apprenticeships and look forward to working with his successor.”
Media Contact: Bob Bowden, Ph 0412 753 298 bbowden@bowmac.com.au
