THE latest federal budget includes a number of new measures to address some of the shortfalls now being experienced in the workplace, particularly apprenticeships.
The Government is extending the JobTrainer fund, which provides access to affordable training courses for young people.
The budget provides for an additional $506.3M over two years, to be matched by contributions from the states and territories.
The Government expects the extension to provide approximately 163,000 extra low-fee and free training places, including 33,800 places in aged care and 10,000 places in digital skills courses.
An extra $2.7B will be spent over four years to expand the Government’s Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidies, which reimburse employers for the wages of new apprentices and trainees by up to 50%.
Under the expanded program, the number of eligible places will be uncapped and the duration of the 50% wage subsidy will be increased to 12 months.
Businesses of any size will be able to claim the subsidies for new apprentices and trainees who begin their employment between October 5, 2020, and March 31, 2022, with a maximum amount of $7,000 per quarter available.
Employers who hire apprentices will be given access to a new national apprenticeship’s portal, which will act as a ‘one-stop-shop’ to manage their apprentice workforces. Apprentices will also be able to use the portal to understand their entitlements.
