The National Apprentice Employment Network (NAEN) today welcomed the federal government’s commitment to a comprehensive review of the national VET system.
National Executive Officer Dianne Dayhew said such a review is vital to ensure that the VET system supports a nationally consistent model of training and skills development, with the best outcomes for workers of the future.
“Both the Coalition and Labor are committed to examining the VET system and this is a very positive step for the future of apprenticeships and traineeships which need to be at the heart of our modern workforce,” Ms Dayhew said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced yesterday that the government review will be headed by Steven Joyce, the former New Zealand Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, and Minister of Finance, and will report in March.
Ms Dayhew said important issues for the national apprentice employment network would include proper funding for apprenticeships and traineeships, the role of the Commonwealth, states and territories, linkages with employers and training providers, and the place for extending
apprenticeships into new areas of work.
“The apprenticeship sector has been subject to a great deal of tinkering in recent years, not all of it positive, yet the group training network continues to work with thousands of apprentices and trainees in communities around Australia, matching them to host employers and overseeing their progress to completion.
“What we urgently need is a stable and well thought out framework that supports the national apprenticeship system, providing the right incentives for employers and the right mix of skills to meet current and emerging needs of apprentices, trainees and employers.
“We look forward to actively engaging with both the Coalition’s review and with the Federal Opposition which has announced plans for a full review of the post-secondary school system if elected to government,” Ms Dayhew said.
NAEN also welcomed the government’s announcement that if re-elected, it will extend the Adult Australian Apprentices payment to employers who take on an apprentice aged between 21 and 24.
From July 2019, eligible employers will receive a one-off payment of $4,000 to take on an adult apprentice aged 21 to 24 years. Until now, eligibility for the payment was limited to employers who engaged an eligible apprentice aged 25 or over.
Media Contact: Bob Bowden, Foresight Communications 0412 753 298 bbowden@bowmac.com.au
