The Federal Government will invest an additional $1.2b to support Australian businesses to employ 100,000 new apprentices and trainees as part of its COVID-19 economic recovery plan.
As of Monday, businesses who take on a new Australian apprentice became eligible for a 50% 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 was a skills pipeline to meet the future needs of employers.
“During this pandemic the Federal Government has been focussed on supporting and creating jobs as well as identifying the skills we need in the economic rebuild,” the Prime Minister said.
Member for Barker Tony Pasin said whether it was manufacturing, housing and construction, hairdressing or engineering – the new wage subsidy gave businesses certainty to hire and provide 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 Barker with a real opportunity to upskill and reskill through an apprenticeship or a traineeship,” he said.
The subsidy will be available to employers of any size or industry, Australia-wide who engage an Australian apprentice or trainee from October 5 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 September 30, 2021, up to $7000 per quarter.
